CUT FLOWEKS. l-il 



the flowers on the lower part of the spike expand, they require 

 shading, which is done by placing three stakes around the 

 spike and enclosing it with thin canvas. This gives a longer 

 spike of fully developed flowers. If wet weather sets in, the 

 spikes should be so protected as to prevent injury to the 

 flowers. 



The points of merit of spikes are ; (1.) Length of spike of 

 expanded flowers ; (2.) size and regularity of flowers, which 

 should be close set but not overlap ; and (3.) the colours rich 

 and clear. In single blooms the points are : (1.) They should 

 be round, high in the centre, with the guard petals flat on the 

 stand; (2.) quality of petals; and (3.) colour, which should be 

 rich and clear. 



ORCHID. 



A stand of spikes or bunches of the finest Orchids, when 

 properly set up, excels all others in elegance and richness 

 of colour, and surpasses most kinds in striking appearance. 

 There ought to be no limit to the exhibitor staging either 

 a single spike or a bunch of spikes of the same variety, because 

 the exhibit is meant to be attractive, as well as to show the 

 results of cultural ability, and to satisfy the curiosity of the 

 orchidophihst. A single spike of Plialcenopsis ScMlleriana is 

 all that could be desired, while a single Cypripedium or Ly caste 

 on the top of a stem has very little appearance ; but if these 

 are wired and set up in a bunch, with a backing of green 

 leaves, the efEect is vastly more attractive, and therefore 

 " bunches " should be the rule. The following are twelve of 

 the best genera for this purpose : — Aerides, Cattleya, Ccelogyne, 

 Cyprvpedmm, Dendrohium, Lcdia, Lycaste, Masdevallia, Odon- 

 toglossum, Oncidium, PJialcenopsis, and Vanda. The cultural 

 directions are given in the Plants Division. The value of the 

 exhibit depends much on the manner of arranging the bunches 

 and setting up the spikes. The flowers should be carefully 

 wired, so that the stalks may be bent into any position. They 

 should be arranged in triangular form, with the flowers facing 

 the sides as well as the front, and nothing is better than a few 

 of their own leaves around them ; but if they are not to be 



