STAGING THE FLOWERS 43 



STAGING THE FLOWERS 



There is no better method of acquiring the knowledge 

 of how best to set up Pansies and Violas for show, than 

 by visiting an exhibition and observing how the work is 

 done by prize-winning growers. Pansies are generally 

 exhibited on flat trays made for the purpose. Sometimes 

 six, sometimes twelve, and occasionally twenty-four blooms 

 are asked for in a competition. The flowers are inserted in 

 the trays so that they assume an almost horizontal position, 

 and their points or qualities can easily be seen by the 

 judges. In some districts the bloom is first fitted into a 

 paper collar, and held in position by a small pin being 

 passed through the stem behind the collar. This makes 

 the staging easier, but the practice is condemned by many 

 lovers of these flowers. Violas are usually set up in flat 

 sprays of six or nine blooms, but at some shows, notably 

 at the Wolverhampton Floral Fete, they are splendidly 

 arranged in wide-mouthed dwarf jars. In staging there is 

 much room for an exhibitor to show his taste and skill, and 

 it often happens that a clever stager gains points over a less 

 capable one who has better flowers. Flowers intended for 

 exhibition should be large, well formed, well marked, of 

 good substance, fresh and clean. The names should be 

 legibly written (or printed) on small neat labels. 



