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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



latter case, any flower more than three-parts expanded in the morning should be cut 

 and stored in a cool cellar or shed, rather than go through the ordeal of a hot day. If 

 the blooms can be staged with the remains of the morning dew upon them they will 

 look much brighter and fresher, and, if other points are about equal, will often turn the 

 scale in favour of the exhibitor of them. 



Selection of Blooms. 



Make a preliminary excursion among the plants, and then you will be better able to 

 decide, as well as avoid cutting many to waste. Always cut with a good length of 

 stalk and place in water as soon as possible. Just previous to putting them in the 

 water, cut off the ends of the stems afresh. The small pores dry up very quickly in 

 the sun and wind, and as the flowers need much water it is important that these be 

 quite free and open when finally placed into the tubes. Use a clean and sharp knife, 

 so that the stalk may be cut without bruising. A hot and drying wind is most 

 trying to cut roses, and often causes them to shrink in spite of the greatest care. 

 This is more noticeable with thin-petalled blooms and those from succulent growths. 

 A few varieties, generally the cupped and high- centred kinds, will be better if a short 

 piece of soft wool or worsted be gently tied around the centre petals. Etienne Levet, 

 Victor Verdier, Gustave Piganeau, and Baroness Eothschild are examples. 



Always carry some younger blooms to take the place of those first selected, as it 

 frequently happens that the tent or room is very hot, or what promised to be a dull 

 day proves to be a bright one. This, in addition to bad travelling, often ruins the 

 first-selected blooms, and a few "spares "are always welcome. See that the flowers 

 are firm in their funnels before starting. The spare flowers, being younger, can be put 

 in an extra box containing only the tubes, when two or three can be placed in one 

 hole ; but it is better to give them room to develop. They must be firm, not only to 

 avoid shaking and bruising, but to be certain that water is retained in the tubes. Cut 

 off the ends of the stalks again when finally staging. It freshens the flowers very much 

 to have the pores clear and free to absorb moisture. 



Place the largest blooms in the back row, and be sure to have a good example at 

 each corner. If the blooms are not fairly even in size, let the smallest be distributed 

 in the front and middle of the second row. A judicious arrangement of colours 

 heightens the effect of each bloom as well as the whole stand. Do not cramp the 

 blooms down among the moss, but let them stand up boldly. Look over the names 



