CHAPTER VII 



EXHIBITING 



THE best time to pick blooms for exhibiting is in the 

 early morning, as they are then in fine condition, having 

 been refreshed by the cool dews of night. 



Blooms should not be cut off, but be broken off at 

 their junction with the stem and leaf. As previously 

 remarked, if any part of the flower stalk is left on, this 

 only detracts from the vigour of the plant. Some 

 varieties break off quite easily, whilst others require 

 a lot of pressure to make them snap off. 



Immediately after having been picked, the blooms 

 should be placed in tumblers of water in a cool position. 

 Dust should be carefully guarded against, as this very 

 quickly causes the blossoms to look dowdy. 



The two methods in which Pansies and Violas are 

 most commonly exhibited are in sprays of from six to 

 twelve blooms, and in individual flowers set out on a 

 *' pansy tray." Both have little to recommend them 

 from a natural and artistic point of view, but as they 

 seem mostly in vogue at the present time a description is 

 here given. 



A " pansy tray," which is obtainable of most horti- 

 cultural sundrlesmen, is a rectangular plate of metal in 

 which holes are made, for the insertion of the Pansies, 

 about three inches apart ; under the holes on the under- 

 side of the tray run hollow tubes which, when filled 

 with water, keep the Pansy blooms fresh for a consider- 

 able time. The foot stalks are shortened and the 



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