166 The Amateur's Booh of the Dahlia 



Dahlia Society, may be given to an exhibit which 

 wins the highest number of points in the hall. 

 It is sometimes called a grand sweepstake and 

 is the highest honour which could be given. 



A prize should be awarded for the most 

 meritorious exhibit in the show. It could be won 

 by the finest collection of seedlings, or by a vase 

 of a "tested" dahlia — ^i. e., three years old, hy- 

 bridized by the exhibitor, although maybe only 

 placed in competition with others. 



It could be won by a potted dahlia plant 

 placed in the hall as a "special" class, or by 

 anything which denotes unusual effort and suc- 

 cess. 



In planning a dahlia show one cannot begin 

 too early — a whole year is not too soon. While 

 the dahlias are blooming, future exhibitors can 

 choose the varieties which they feel will bring 

 them success. They can order them at that 

 time with a certainty that they will be received 

 in the spring; and the committee planning the 

 show can get some idea what will be available, 

 and arrange the classes to that end. 



Publicity plays an important part if the show 

 is to be a success. Give everyone plenty of 

 time to prepare for it. Do not, however, send 

 the schedules out too far in advance; they are 

 easily mislaid or overlooked when the day 



