CHAPTER XV. 



EXHIBITIONS 



The Management The annual exhibition requires mental and physi- 

 cal as well as financial support and is generally more successful when back- 

 ed by a strong organization. Very few exhibitions are certain of being 

 successful year after year, particularly from a financial standpoint. Un- 

 favorable weather is likely to impair the attendance and some other local 

 attraction may divert the public. 



Such organizations should appoint committees to handle certain parts 

 of the work, such as arranging and mailing a schedule, music, advertising, 

 and as the date of the show draws near supplement committees for decorat- 

 ing the hall, etc. The preliminary, or, if possible, complete schedule, giv- 

 ing the principal classes, should be mailed in January. 



Make them definite. For example: Best twenty-four blooms white, 

 three varieties, stems not less than 36 inches, shown in one vase. Best 

 twenty-five plants, five varieties, grown to single stem and bloom in five- 

 inch pots, not exceeding 30 inches above pots. When so arranged the man- 

 ager is not hampered with questions. The exhibitor knows just what is 

 required, and the judge has but one thing to consider, quality. 



The larger the premium the stronger the competition. Big prizes and 

 honor of winning same are incentives which are far-reaching and should 

 be duly considered for sake of display. This course is a greater necessity 

 ir> localities remote from the center of chrysanthemum cultivation, which 

 is probably between Cleveland and Pittsburg. 



If a final or -complete premium list is issued it should appear a few 

 weeks before the date of the show and may be arranged to serve the pur- 

 pose of a program and thus curtail expense. The advertising is an important 

 feature and the press should be furnished with short items of interest 

 to the public that will also refer directly to the exhibition. If possible 

 they should be supplied with photographs of intended exhibits and descrip- 

 tion of same. A month prior to the date posters and other forms of ad- 

 vertising will be necessary. 



It is of great importance to have a competent secretary, as much de- 

 1 ends upon accurate records of entries, premiums, etc. W. N. Rudd, Mt. 

 Greenwood, 111., in his able article, "The Management of the Exhibition,^ 

 read before the American Carnation Society, suggests the following for 

 the accounting department : "The writer prefers the De La Mare system 

 of exhibition accounting, as being simple, speedy and accurate. It consists: 

 of an exhibitor's book, a class book, a judge's book, entry cards and en- 

 velopes for them, a set of gummed labels of different colors, 'first premium," 

 'second premium,' etc., to be attached to entry cards by the judges as they 

 complete each class." 



