CHILDREN'S GARDENS EVERYWHERE 



Exhibits 



THE matter of exhibits finally resolves 

 itself into one of mechanics and 

 art. The mechanical side has to do with 

 the methods used in preparing for the 

 exhibit, while the art side has to do with 

 the arrangement of the exhibit (both the 

 individual or single exhibit) and the lay- 

 out as a whole. 



In considering the first of these aspects 

 or the mechanical we have to keep in mind 

 that a small school exhibit may be managed 

 with little red tape. Perhaps the following 

 suggestions for the larger exhibit may be 

 cut down for the smaller one. Make out 

 a list of classes. For example, a prize 

 will be offered for the best collection of 

 garden flowers, or for the finest display of 

 zinnias not less than thirty to the bunch, 

 or for the best collection of vegetables 

 of not less than fifteen varieties. Letter 

 the classes A, B, C, etc. Decide on the 

 prize for each class. It may be that you 

 will decide on a first prize of fifty cents; 

 second, twenty-five cents; and third, an 

 honorable mention. After such lists are 

 made out post them in the school-hall or 

 have them printed in the local papers. 

 Then the children know exactly what to 

 expect and what they wish to compete for. 



Next place a standard. That is, an- 

 nounce that all exhibits are to be properly 

 bunched, vegetables cleaned, and plain 

 glass receptacles brought for the flowers. 

 This last, of course, may be attended to 

 by the committee in charge. 



Such a card as this Cleveland one here 

 shown is a good mechanical device. It 

 is plain, simple, easy to read and to handle. 

 Such cards as these may be made out by 

 the exhibitor himself. If a type form is 

 displayed at school the children can easily 

 make them. Why not have this done in 

 the school printing shop next winter? 

 If you have no shop it could be handled by 

 the art department as a lesson in lettering. 



Finally, have a definite time when 

 exhibits will be received, and at a given 

 limit of time receive no more. If entries 

 come straggling in and there is no real 

 limit of time it is very difficult to work 

 out the second point of the exhibit work, 

 which is arrangement. 



This latter is really an artistic matter. 



THE CHILDREN'S FALL EXHIBIT, 

 GIVING DEVICES TO HELP IN ITS 

 MANAGEMENT— HOW TO KEEP CUT 

 FLOWERS — MONTHLY SUGGESTIONS 

 FOR WORK-CROPS CHILDREN MAY 

 PLANT THIS FALL FOR SPRING USE 



Conducted by 



ELLEN EDDY SHAW 



New York 



One may divide the place of exhibit, having 

 one side for vegetable exhibits and the 

 other for floral ones. Some exhibits are 

 arranged so that tables or sections of tables 

 are given up to the individual or an individ- 

 ual school. As far as possible break up 

 clashing color effects. The vegetable ex- 

 hibit gives little trouble. Foliage helps 

 here and vegetable coloration is not over 

 brilliant. Masses of green help out 

 wonderfully in the flower section. Artistic 

 arrangement is far more difficult a thing 

 to accomplish than one might imagine. 

 This is due largely to the heterogeneous, 

 spotty effect which is so hard to overcome. 



Simple white vases or glasses help as 

 does the addition of much green matter. 



How to keep cut flowers is another 

 problem. Pick them, if possible, early 

 in the morning of the exhibit day. The 

 object is to have as much water in the stems 

 of the flowers as they will hold. Flowers 

 may be picked at night and left in a large 

 receptacle of water until morning. This 

 may be done if the flowers are to remain 

 at the exhibit over night. Thus left in a 

 large amount of water they will be fresh 

 again for the second day of exhibit. It 

 is claimed that flowers with porous stems 

 will last longer if a small piece of charcoal 

 is put in the vase with the water. Faded, 

 wilted flowers are not prize winners. 



Monthly Suggestions 



HPHERE are things to do in the garden 

 -*- now besides mere clearing up. 

 (i) Bend all the energy of the tomato 

 plant to ripening its fruit. Pinch back 



Exhibitors' Card 



GARDEN FESTIVAL 



Sept. 22nd, 23 rd, 24 th, 1911 



Exhibitors' No 



Class 



Entry No 



School 



Grade 



Age 



77ms card must be fastened to and 

 placed in the plate with your exhibit 



All the facts necessary for an entry to the exhibit 

 are on this card 



67 



the growing ends of vines and cut off all 

 the lower leaves on the stalks. Expose 

 the fruit to the sun rays. Watering with 

 liquid manure will push on the good work. 



(2) If parsley is sown now in the garden, 

 the little plants may be taken up and 

 brought indoors, but leave them in the 

 ground as late as possible. Then trans- 

 plant to boxes. This is your winter 

 parsley garden. 



(3) Some of you real garden children 

 might like to plant a crop or two for early 

 spring. Welsh onions, salsify and corn 

 salad may be planted as soon as you 

 receive this magazine. In late fall, just 

 before frost, cover these new plants with 

 a light litter of leaves. Next spring un- 

 cover and you will find them in advance 

 of the rest of your garden. The leaves of 

 the Welsh onions are used for seasoning 

 purposes. 



(4) The geranium bed may now receive 

 attention. It is an excellent time to slip 

 the old plants. Choose a big, over-grown 

 fellow. Take a cutting from each one 

 of the thick shoots. Cut just below a 

 joint a piece four inches in length. Take 

 off all leaves except the two extreme tip- 

 end ones. These cuttings may be started 

 in ordinary garden soil. Firm them well. 

 They will make satisfactory winter house 

 plants. 



(5) It is possible to take up verbena 

 plants for winter. 



(6) Cuttings may be made from the 

 heliotrope. These make sturdy winter 

 plants too. 



(7) If you wish to plant some evergreens 

 do so at once. There is a bit of time left 

 in August. This is a good planting time 

 just now. It takes an evergreen a little 

 time to get settled so don't delay too 

 long. 



(8) Do not forget to take a picture of 

 your fall exhibit for The Garden Maga- 

 zine contest. Take a picture of your 

 garden as well. These pictures are a 

 necessary part of the matter which must 

 be handed in with the report. If your 

 garden returns have been small do not be 

 discouraged and drop out of the contest. 

 You may win yet. The individual prizes 

 are garden books and magazine subscrip- 

 tions. The group prizes are The Nature 

 Library and The Garden Library. 



