PREPARING EXHIBITS 



Cut Flowers Blooms that are likely to be too far advanced for the 

 exhibition should be cut and stored in water in a cool cellar with some 

 light (in total darkness the foliage soon turns yellow), cutting off a 

 small portion of the stem and giving fresh water every three days. In 

 this way they may be kept two or three weeks in a very presentable con- 

 dition. 



All blooms should be cut and stored in water at least 12 hours before 

 packing and longer if possible. This allows them to take up suffcient water 

 to harden the foliage and petals. In brighter weather it is best to do the 

 cutting early in the day while they are firm. 



The most suitable sized box for packing depends upon the size of the 

 blooms, number to be packed, and required length of stems when staged. 

 They must be of sufficient depth so that the cover when nailed does not 

 crush the blooms. When large exhibits are to be handled, boxes 6 feet 

 long, 2 feet wide, and 10 to 12 inches deep or there-abouts are the most 

 serviceable. 



The box is first lined with paper to exclude air, and if cold, enough 

 to protect from frost. The next step is to consult the schedule, sorting 

 out each entry so they may be packed by themselves. If no one accom- 

 panies them to attend the staging, each class should be divided with a 

 e.Leet of paper and plainly marked, giving class number so that the person 

 in charge will know each entry at a 

 glance. 



Each bloom should be labeled with a 

 white card plainly written. A very suit- 

 able size for this purpose is 1 % by 4 

 inches, which should be tied to the stem 

 near the bloom. A few* extra blooms 

 should be added in case some are injur- 

 ed in transit and the packer will have to 

 use Iris judgment as to how many are 

 required, by their present condtion and 

 apparent substance. Where the entries 

 require a large number of blooms it is 

 advisable to label them, even though they 

 are to be accompanied with someone 

 who is conversant with unpacking and 

 staging, as it saves much time and con- 

 fusion at the last moment when it Is 

 urgent that all exhibits be in position 

 at the allotted hour. 



Make rolls of excelsior wrapped with 

 paper 2% or 3 inches in diameter, and as long as the box is wide. Sheets 

 of tissue paper large enough to cover the blooms should be cut on one 

 side to the center, and having the blooms near at hand, all is ready. It 

 requires two persons to pack to advantage, one placing the blooms in the 

 box and attending to cleating, and a helper tying on the labels and liolcl- 



FIG. 30. BLOOM WRAPPED. 



