CUT FLOWERS. 149 



line must be drawn somewhere, and the following genera will 

 be found among the best and most suitable for the purpose : — 

 Allamanda, AmaryUh, Anthurium, Dipladenia, Eucharis, Fran- 

 ciscea, Gardenia, Ixora, Pancratium, Poinsettia, Rondeletia, and 

 Stephanoti^. Their cultivation is given in the First Division. 

 The manner of arranging the bunches and staging them is the 

 same as is recommended for Greenhouse Flowers, and the points 

 of merit are also similar. 



VIOLA. 

 The Yiola has deservedly come into popular favour very much 

 of late years, owing to the great improvement in its varieties. 

 It is one of the hardiest and most usefvil of plants, and when 

 the flowers are set up on wires in bunches, they make a 

 pretty display on an exhibition table. The following varieties 

 are among the finest for competition : — Archibald Grant, 

 Buccleuch Gem, Countess of Hopetoun, Countess of Kintore, 

 Duchess of Albany, Evening Star, Gipsy Bride, Holyrood, 

 Lord Elcho, Mrs. John Clark, Skylark, and York and Lancaster. 

 The Viola is cultivated in a similar manner to the Pansy. If 

 planted in September, they have sufficient time to estabHsh 

 themselves before winter, and are less liable to be thrown out 

 of the ground by frost. "When planted in autumn they com- 

 mence blooming in early spring, and continue throughout the 

 season, but for vei'y late flowers they are best planted in the 

 spring. The points of merit are : (1.) Size and form of bloom ; 

 (2.) texture of petals; and (.3.) distinctness and brightness of 

 colouring. 



BOUQUETS AND FLOKAL AERAXCiEilENTS. 

 "When this section of an exhibition is well filled, it never 

 fails to attract the attention and admiration of all classes of 

 visitors. They naturally look to this department for a display 

 of good taste and artistic arrangement, and for enlightenment 

 on the best methods of using cut flowers with the most perfect 

 effect in a style of decoration which has in recent times become 

 very fashionable. Therefore all illustrations and information 

 tending to efficiency in the art of floral decoration are welcomed 

 by the public. 



