178 BRITISH FLORAL DECORATION 



Waltham, in Hampshire, where in 1874 a Horti- 

 cultural Society was established, mainly for the 

 benefit of cottagers. They were induced to cultivate 

 their gardens better, and prizes for all produce were 

 well competed for. The children had their corner 

 too, prizes being offered for Nosegays and Baskets 

 of Wild Flowers, until it was no unusual sight to see 

 over a hundred in competition, and before long the 

 children's corner outgrew the space that was avail- 

 able, and the exhibits became so crowded that 

 justice could not be done to them. Then it was that 

 the idea of a Children's Flower Show was broached. 

 A committee, mainly of ladies, was formed and 

 classes were arranged. A grant from the parent 

 society, together with special prizes, was readily 

 forthcoming, and a very interesting schedule was 

 drawn up. We found the " Best arranged vase " very 

 popular, especially amongst infant exhibitors, their 

 difficulty being to grasp sufficient flowers to make 

 a nosegay. For a Basket of Wild Flowers there 

 were many tasteful exhibits. The handles were 

 prettily entwined with ivy, or other creeping 

 plant, care being taken that the damp sand used 

 in the baskets was well covered with moss. Then 

 there were classes for Vases of Garden Flowers, 

 Buttonholes, Ladies' Sprays, Best Wreath, Soup- 



