60 THE CHRYSANTHEMUM 



are staged in the dry atmosphere of the exhibi- 

 tion hall. 



Occasionally a variety will occur having hard, 

 woody stems that are slow of absorption and the foliage 

 shows a disposition to wilt. This can be remedied 

 by splitting up the stem at the base for three or four 

 inches, which greatly facilitates the absorption of water. 



PACKING THE BLOOMS 



Great care must be exercised in packing the blooms 

 for transportation to the place of exhibition, to avoid 

 bruising or other injury. Many an otherwise good 

 exhibit has failed to attain the deserved award solely 

 by reason of blemishes that might have been prevented. 

 After a year of endeavor in production the final effort 

 should be to place the flowers on exhibition clean and 

 spotless. In a close competition the first award may 

 depend entirely upon freshness and condition. It is 

 poor satisfaction to see a competitor win because of 

 errors of our own commission. 



Substantial wooden boxes of not less than half-inch 

 lumber should be secured. For long stemmed flowers 

 a convenient box is one six feet long, twenty inches 

 wide inside, and with a clear inside depth of at least 

 ten inches. In such a box from eighteen to twenty- 

 four flowers, each having four feet of stem, can be 

 safely packed. The box should be lined with several 

 thicknesses of paper, that nearest to the flowers being 

 of a soft character. Commencing at the end, support 

 must be provided for the first row of flowers. .A simple 

 but effective method is to make a roll, or pillow, of 

 excelsior (about four inches thick) as long as the width 

 of the box and wrapped with tissue paper, placing it 

 in the box six inches from the end. This gives neces- 

 sary support to the neck of the flower and prevents it 

 from crushing itself out of shape as would happen if 



