CUT FLOWERS 61 



Violas may be divided into three groups RAYED, 

 RAYLESS, and MINIATURE. The two former may 

 usually be shown together, but most judges prefer 

 rayless flowers. The FANCY varieties are very effective, 

 and are admissible where the Schedule specification 

 does not exclude them. 



Merits. Good shape ; broad segments ; clear and rich 

 colouring ; fragrance ; well-defined eye ; well-defined 

 edge colouring and bold blotches on Picotee-edged and 

 Blotched flowers ; bright contrasts in the colouring of 

 Fancy varieties; small, neat, and fragrant flowers of 

 Miniature or Violetta varieties ; flowers just clear of each 

 other in the sprays. 



Faults. Clouded or muddy colouring ; weather or 

 insect marks ; lack of substance ; blooms of unequal size 

 in the spray ; sprays of unequal size ; too many dark 

 varieties in a collection. 



Hints. Wire each bloom by pushing the end of a 

 thin wire through the spur and binding the wire to the 

 stem with a strand of damp wool ; add a few sprigs of 

 firm young growth as the spray is made up ; let the 

 flowers stand just clear of each other ; dark, velvety 

 flowers suffer most from damp ; light colours are easily 

 soiled, therefore protect them from rain ; gather the 

 flowers in early morning or late evening. 



VIOLETS 



So many and great have been the improvements made 

 among Violets during recent years that it is small wonder 

 the fragrant and beautiful flowers are becoming more 

 and more popular for exhibition purposes at the spring 

 and late autumn Flower Shows. Six bunches of Violets 

 are usually required by the Schedule, and these may each 

 represent a distinct variety, or not less than three 

 varieties may be required. In every case each bunch 



