120 MISCELLANEOUS EXHIBITION PLANTS. 



the flowers begin to open, clear water only should be given. 

 They should be neatly staked and slightly shaded, to preser\'e 

 the colour and freshness of the blooms. The points of merit 

 are: (1.) Size, equality, and form of the flowers; (2.) arrange- 

 ment and brightness of the colours, which should not run into 

 each other, the petals being similarly marked, or if of one colour, 

 it should be pure and constant ; and (3.) double flowers should 

 be large and full, the petals regular, and of good size and 

 substance. 



GROUPS OF PLANTS. 

 These form an important feature in a flower-show, and if 

 the plants have been selected with discrimination and are 

 tastefully arranged, they never fail to command the attention 

 and favourable comment of the public. In considering the 

 selection of the best plants and their arrangement to the best 

 effect in a group on a stand or table 20 feet long by 7 feet 

 wide, a commencement should be made with three leading 

 plants of graceful form, standing well over the main body of 

 the group, and arranged along the centre, say a well-coloured 

 Oroton of elegant habit in the middle, and about five feet off, 

 towards each end, a graceful specimen of Gocos Weddelliana 

 or other palm ; or a palm, say Phmnix rupicola, may be the 

 middle plant, suppoi-ted by two Crotons or two fine specimens 

 of Dracaenas towards the ends. A groundwork should next 

 be formed of dwarf ferns — Adiantum cuneatum in small pots 

 is among the best — arranged to cover the stand and effectually 

 conceal the pots of the other plants. The prominent plants 

 should then be placed in position with all the judgment and 

 taste possible, regulating their height above the groundwork in 

 such a manner as to display the specimens to the best advantage. 

 A choice selection of Alocasias, Anthuriums, Crotons, Dra- 

 caenas, Marantas, Palms, Pitcher Plants, and such like, with 

 ornamental and highly coloured foliage, should be freely inter- 

 spersed with the choicest specimens in flower of Amaryllis, 

 Azaleas, Eucharis, Geraniums, Fuchsias, Liliums, Orchids, 

 and the like. After the main features have been arranged in 

 a light and elegant manner, the edge of the table should be 

 treated in the same way, itsing both flowering and foliage 



