172 VEGETABLES FOR EXHIBITION 



This is most beneficial and promotes a quick and free 

 growth. Lift the specimens the day before they are 

 wanted, removing only the worst of the outside leaves 

 and washing off all dirt. Stand them head down- 

 wards and give a thorough syringing with clean water. 

 Finally reverse their position and give the last rinsing. 

 It is usual to stage either three or six sticks, arranging 

 them in triangular fashion. At the last moment, when 

 staging, trim off the bottom with a sharp knife, and 

 wipe the sticks with a damp clean sponge. Slightly 

 spray them over and keep covered with white paper. 



CUCUMBERS. 



At most exhibitions of any extent prizes are offered 

 for a brace of Cucumbers, but as a rule a very large 

 percentage are anything but what they should be, and 

 they are usually staged too large. An ideal brace of 

 Cucumbers should be as near alike as possible, quite 

 short handles, the same size in circumference through- 

 out, no marks of handling should be seen on them, and 

 the flower retained at the ends. Trustworthy varieties 

 of quick growth are essential. Ten days after the 

 fruits are in flower during spring and summer should 

 be sufficiently long for development. The fruits and 

 foliage should not be syringed but a strong heat and 

 moist atmosphere maintained. 



For spring and summer supplies begin sowing at 

 the end of January and again in February and March 

 in small sixty-sized pots, placing one seed in each and 



