68 THE CULTURE OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



point what you gain in width you lose in depth, and depth 

 is more valuable than breadth ; for the most graceful 

 bloom is that possessing handsome drooping florets. 



The size of any cup or wire must not exceed three inches. 

 If 'the flowers have grown upright and evenly they will not 

 require anything but the cups under them; but if they 

 have grown one-sided, a small splint must be run up close 

 under the flower, and tied tightly to the stem. For 

 plugging the flowers in the cups I cut pieces of the stem 

 into wedges about two inches long. When each flower is 

 cupped, it should be put into the water-tube, and placed in 

 its position on the board, and so on with the others. When 

 all are so far ready, a little re-arrangement may be neces- 

 sary to make each bloom appear at its best; for if you 

 have really good specimens it is a pity to lose a point by 

 bad arrangement. On the other hand, if your blooms are 

 not really first-class, you may win a point by setting them 

 out to the best advantage. And at any rate, if you do not 

 obtain premier honours you will gain satisfaction and 

 possibly some benefit by taking a good survey of all the 

 First Prize exhibits, and go home with a determine 1 "' on 

 to do better another year. 



Entering at Shows. 



If it is your first attempt ,at showing, do no<t enter in a 

 larger class than you are able to manage. It may be an 

 easy matter to get twelve good blooms when it would 

 be difficult to get twenty-four. Young exhibitors should 

 not be disappointed if they do not happen to gain all First 

 Prizes at the outset. Old hands are pretty well contented 

 if they can manage to figure in the first three in a 

 strongly contested class. 



Many novelties are introduced each year. Some are 

 really grand, and add materially to an exhibit ; but exhibi- 

 tors must not run away wi'th the idea that merely because 

 they have new varieties they .are of necessity going to 

 gain extra points, unless the specimens are superior to 

 older varieties. A badly grown novelty will not compare 

 with an older variety well grown. 



