
ber of leaves, approximately the same amount of 
bloom, etc. I shouldn’t need to point out that this 
is fiendishly difficult to do. However, I have seen 
this same trick done with three plants, a blue, a 
pink, and a white, all back-to-back in the same 
pot, all in bloom. They made a pretty sight. 
Evenness, or symmetry is the important thing, of 
course. It isn’t too much a job to keep the crowns 
all the same size, but to get them all to bloom at 
the same time for the show is a feat! 
But if they don’t all bloom, you don’t need 
to leave your poor plant at home in disgrace come 
show-day. Nearly all shows have a section for 
foliage plants. If your foliage is good and clean, 
unmarked, and really quite handsome by itself, 
pull any blooms it may have and show it in the 
foliage section. This is also a good thing to re- 
member for your prize single-crown plant which 
didn’t come through with blooms for the show. 
Novelties: This section in a violet show 
usually includes variegated foliage plants, so-called 
“hanging basket” types (with little plantlets grow- 
ing on a bloom stalk), albinos, or freak sports or 
seedlings of various sorts. Remember that this 
section is more educational than competitive in 
nature, so allow your club loyalty to come to the 
fore. Save back plants which the public may find 
interesting even though they may be a nuisance 
to take care of at home. A remarkably lop-sided 
plant, for example, would be an abomination in 
the regular plant section, but would be of interest 
in the Novelties. 
A plant of any shape, size, or fashion can be 
spruced up with lace-paper, ribbon, or a pretty 
container and look well in the decorative classes 
even if it only has one or two blooms. Of course, 
this takes imagination and a “flair.” If you're 
short on ideas for fixing up your plants, consult 
the designer at your florist’s. It is illegal for 
someone else to actually prepare your entry, but 
perfectly ok to borrow ideas. 
You might want to design a collection of 
violets with other plant material such as fern, 
evergreen twigs, decorative grasses, or moss in 
brandy snifters or on shallow trays. Flower ar- 
rangements of violets blossoms are pretty. You 
could make an arrangement using plants for the 
buffet or dining table—candle holders or other ac- 
cessories are often permitted. Brass, pottery, 
wooden or glass containers may be used. Lovely 
arrangements can be worked out with cypress 
knees. Corsages and hand bouquets are always 
quite impressive made from blossoms but are best 
done at the last minute. . 

