CHAPTER IX 



Exhibiting and Judging 



There are more floral exhibitions held in Chrysan- 

 themum time than at any other period of the year, 

 and at all of them the Chrysanthemum is the leading 

 feature. Advocacy of the flower's adaptability for this 

 purpose is needless, while the number and popularity 

 of these exhibitions furnish ample justification for the 

 continuance of those means and methods whereby the 

 flower has been brought into such prominence. 



It is undeniable that the big blooms have been 

 the leading factor in arousing and sustaining public 

 interest, hence the prominence that has been given to 

 this phase of Chrysanthemum culture in these pages. 

 Moreover, it is safe to prophesy that the future will 

 not witness any marked changes in this respect, as one 

 can hardly imagine such a revulsion of public feeling, 

 or sentiment, sufficient to convince the general public 

 that flowers one-half the size are just as pretty and 

 more artistic. The stamp of popular approval of the 

 big bloom was set in Europe before Chrysanthemum 

 exhibitions were thought of in America, so "history 

 repeats itself," but though we followed where others 

 led, we have substantially progressed, and have given 

 to our exhibitions an American character in a more 

 natural and an infinitely more pleasing method of dis- 

 play, by setting up the flowers in large vases with long 

 stems and ample foliage to enhance the beauty of the 

 bloom. In consequence of this, the flowers that we 

 display at exhibitions demonstrate the fitness and 



