CUT FLOWERS 55 



do well and some ill in a given district ruthlessly discard 

 the latter; the evening previous to the Show, or at any 

 rate some hours before cutting, tie a strand of wool 

 round the centre of each good bloom that has just 

 opened its outer petals such treatment keeps the flower 

 in shape and also encourages the development of the 

 inner petals, just as tying cabbages and lettuces tends 

 to develop the "heart"; leave the ties on till the last 

 possible moment, and cut the flowers in the cool of the 

 morning or evening ; take a number of spare blooms to 

 the Flower Show ; label the varieties carefully and 

 avoid duplication ; Roses must be shown as cut, i.e. no 

 foliage must be added ; crimson, white, and yellow Roses 

 are very effective ; select a cool, shady spot in which to 

 finally arrange the box of blooms the shaded outside 

 of a Rose tent is generally cooler than the inside ; 

 when the boxes are placed on the exhibition table, shade 

 the flowers with paper, or the box lid, until the bell 

 rings or the cry " Lids off" warns competitors to retire; 

 then get a wash and some breakfast, as they help one 

 to bear defeat philosophically, or stand the fierce joy 

 of cup-winning without the risk of hysterics. 



STOVE AND GREENHOUSE FLOWERS 



The old Class for six or twelve kinds of Stove and 

 Greenhouse Flowers has declined in popularity as 

 Classes for Hardy Flowers have advanced. This is to 

 be regretted, as choice indoors flowers have a peculiar 

 fascination for most people. The display of these 

 choice flowers in tubes, on boards such as those used 

 for Roses, has nothing but the convenience of the com- 

 petitor to recommend it. They should be exhibited in 

 neat glass vases provided by the Society, or at least of 

 a specified size if unprovided, and arranged with or 

 without fern fronds. Most orchid flowers are exhibited 



