DWARFING AND GROUPING CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



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Grouping. 



In competitive groups at exhibitions there should be dwarf - 

 ness without being too squatty, i.e., the plants should be 

 arranged with a gentle slope, so that each flower stands out 

 separately to meet the eye of the spectator, and sticks and ties 

 should have to be searched for to be seen. The arrangement of 

 colours should harmonise, and be evenly balanced ; the foliage 

 should be of a dark and healthy green to form a good ground- 

 work to the flowers, that on the front plants coming down to the 

 pots. The front row should all be stood on the ground or floor ; 

 if elevated on pots or blocks it spoils the finish and contour of 

 the group ; the usual size, and one that suits the general body 

 of exhibitors, is an arrangement in a space of 40 square feet, 

 made in the shape of a capital letter D. This takes from 90 

 to 100 plants to fill, a sufficient number to give variety to the 

 arrangement, and for placing in position in the time usually 

 allowed on the morning of the exhibition. The best effect 

 would be gained by having the back rows about 6 feet in height, 

 sloping down to 1 foot 9 or 2 feet in front. The group should 

 also slope a little towards the sides. I usually place my back 

 plants in position first, using a few stouter stakes to give firmness 

 and support, in case any of the others should require lacing back 

 to them. I use fine bouquet wire instead of bass for lacing any 

 flower in position, if required. It is best to put down the two or 

 three front plants first on the line, and also one or two down the 

 centre as guide plants to work to. By experience and practice 

 one can tell pretty well the position of each plant, which should 

 be selected and placed in position, if possible, at home before leav- 

 ing for the exhibition. It is essential for the exhibitor to know 

 the exact shape of the arrangement before leaving home, for 

 some shapes require more front row plants than others. There- 

 fore it would be well if all framers of schedules or superinten- 

 dents of exhibitions would give the shape of the group as well 

 as the superficial size, and adhere to it, for it is provoking to an 

 exhibitor to prepare for a half- circle and then find that he is 

 pressed into an oblong to make room for other exhibits, and 

 then not having sufficient plants to finish off with. There 

 should be an equal mixture of incurved and Japanese used, includ- 

 ing a few large Anemones of both sections ; but Pompons should 

 not be used if possible— they give a weakness to small groups. 



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