Exhibition Plants. 65 



far enough apart so that each plant will have sufficient room 

 for air and sunlight to play about it. When plants are tnus 

 set in the sun and drying winds, it will necessitate frequent 

 watering on hot days and in windy weather. Gauze or other 

 shading may be used judiciously, and is certainly beneficial in 

 midsummer, especially in the climate of the southern states. 

 It should, however, be removed in cloudy weather, and late 

 in the afternoon, so that the plants can get the late afternoon 

 sun and the refreshing dew. If placed on a roller over an 

 improvised frame w r ork, it could be run on and off very easily. 



Shift from six-inch to eight-inch pots, whenever the condi- 

 tion of the roots justifies it, and give the final shift into the pots 

 in which they are intended to bloom, not later than the first 

 of August. These should be about ten or twelve inches in 

 diameter, depending upon the size of the plants. It is best 

 not to put plants into pots larger than are absolutely neces- 

 sary, as they look better in pots which are rather small in pro- 

 portion to their size. Take two plants of equal proportions, 

 putting one into a ten, and the other into a twelve-inch pot, and 

 the difference in appearance in favor of the ten-inch pot plant 

 will be at once apparent. 



The stopping of the young growths, and the judicious tying 

 of them into place, must have close attention. It is better to 

 tie a little at a time, than to wait until the shoots all get large 

 and do it all at once. The grower must first fix in his mind 

 the shape of the plants he desires, and work with a view to 

 that end, constant attention being the keynote of success. 



The last stopping should not occur later than the first of 

 August, if plants are desired for exhibition before November 

 loth. When finely formed flowers of good size are desired, 

 all but the terminal or crown bud should be removed. This 

 is best performed by using a pointed stick or penknife, but 

 care must be taken, or rough handling may destroy the work 

 of months. 



