80 VEGECULTURE 



Potatoes should be selected immediately they are removed from 

 the ground, placing the chosen tubers in a dark cupboard ; 

 defer washing them, however, until the day previous to the 

 show. If Beans or Peas are likely to be too old on the eventful 

 day, or should trouble be feared from rats, mice, or birds, the 

 pods, with as much stem as possible, should be cut, and, after 

 tying them in small bundles, stored in a dark, cool place, allowing 

 the tips of the stems to rest in rain-water. Take especial care 

 of Cauliflowers and Broccoli, and, if fully grown, pull the plants 

 up, and hang, head downwards, in a cool spot ; if this is done 

 even a week before the show, it will, be far better than running 

 the risk of the specimens being too matured, discoloured by 

 sun, or disfigured by the many insects which abound. Celery, 

 Leeks, and Onions are best left in the ground until the last 

 moment. When selecting Vegetable Marrows or Cucumbers, 

 handle them with care, always endeavouring to retain the faded 

 flower on each specimen. Lastly, make a point of having 

 in reserve several spare samples of each vegetable it is intended 

 to place before the judges, for, not infrequently, through acci- 

 dent or carelessness, specimens get damaged, and, if the exhibi- 

 tion is too far from your garden to allow these being replaced, 

 you will experience the mortification of realizing that your 

 strenuous efforts all through the growing season have been an 

 utter waste of time a calamity even worse than having your 

 exhibits contemptuously ignored by the judges ! 



HINTS FOR VEGETABLE EXHIBITORS. Do not make entries 

 that you have no reasonable prospect of filling. Aim at 

 quality, together with uniformity, rather than extra large size. 

 Medium-sized specimens of Turnips, Potatoes, Marrows, Beet- 

 root, and Cauliflowers invariably find most favour with the 

 judges. Tomatoes, Celery, Peas, Beans, and Cucumbers can 

 hardly be too large. The exhibits should be arranged upon 

 plain white plates or dishes; if coloured plates are used, it 

 will be wise to cover them with green leaves. Always show 

 vegetables in a scrupulously clean condition ; if given a short 

 immersion in rain-water, even the dirtiest specimens may be 

 effectually cleaned without injury by the aid of a soft sponge or 

 rag. Take special care in " setting up " vegetable collections. 

 Boards are better than baskets for this purpose, and should 

 be of a size large enough to allow every vegetable to have ample 

 room. A few sprays of Parsley considerably improve and add 

 greatly to the appearance of any exhibit ; if Parsley is un- 

 obtainable, greenery of any sort maybe substituted Carrot-tops, 



