70 OECHID GROWER S MANUAL. 



unless masses of them are put together, and this grouping 

 or massing of such plants being allowed at the shows, nearly 

 every one adopts the practice. While it is permitted, of 

 course the making up instead of growing specimens will be 

 continued, and that without any fault of the exhibitors. Some 

 exhibitors, however, put their plants together to form these 

 quasi specimens in a very clumsy way, instead of displaying 

 taste and judgment in their selection and arrangement. 



In all such cases varieties of the same colours should be 

 placed together in the one group ; this may be found difficult, 

 but unless the colours match the mass should not be con- 

 sidered as of one variety, although it may be of the same 

 species. The difficulty may be avoided by putting the plants 

 together during the preceding season when they are in 

 blossom, and then growing them on together. This is a far 

 preferable plan than that of disturbing them a ffew days before 

 a show, which often injures them and prevents them from 

 flowering the following year, which is a great loss to the 

 exhibitor, especially when he desires to make every plant tell. 

 There is no doubt a great deal may be accomplished in 

 the way of securing a good display by giving attention to 

 bringing the plants into bloom at the right time, without 

 forcing them too much. It is far better to allow the plants to 

 open their flowers gradually, and at the proper time, for they 

 are then of more substance, of a better and richer colour, 

 and last in flower much longer, besides which the plants are 

 more easily carried to the shows, requiring, however, no less 

 care in packing the blossoms so that they do not get bruised. 

 See instructions given for packing Orchids for conveyance to 

 the exhibitions, at p. 74. An experienced grower should be 

 able to tell to a few days when a particular plant will be in 

 flower, and how long it will last in beauty. This knowledge 

 may be obtained by taking notes year by year and summing 



