Dahlia Shows 159 



The hall where such a show is held should be in 

 some central location and not far from the rail- 

 way station. Exhibitors can reach it more 

 easily, and visitors will appreciate the con- 

 venience. There should be no heat turned on 

 in a hall where dahlias are to be shown. No 

 matter how cold and uncomfortable the guests 

 may be, the dahlias are first in consideration. 



The lighting of the show is of primary im- 

 portance. No flower can look well with its back 

 to the light, nor can the judges see to do their 

 work properly. As the afternoon darkens and 

 artificial light is resorted to, see that it is from 

 above and in front of the flowers, yet high 

 enough not to glare. 



Equally important to lighting is the proper 

 background for the flowers. The frame for the 

 picture must be made to show the picture to best 

 advantage. Bare blank walls, unpainted tables, 

 or those covered with clean but hideously un- 

 sympathetic brown paper can never become a 

 flower. Dark walls and tables decked with bur- 

 lap of Nature's green will make each flower stand 

 out with its own individuality. 



The average table is too low to show dahlias 

 properly, unless the exhibitor chooses to reduce 

 his beautiful flowers to that miserable ignominy 

 resorted to in the old show days, when they 



