370 
JOURXAL  OF  IIORriCULTURE  AXD  COTTAGE  GARDEXER, 
October  22.  1903. 
Hints  to  Exhibitors. 
{Concluded  from  p.  352.) 
Having  -written  at  some  length  on  the  errors  committed  by 
exhibitors  in  selecting  their  blooms,  and  their  methods  of  pro¬ 
cedure,  a  hint  or  two  on  staging  may  be  useful  to  those  who  are 
about  to  enter  the  exhibition  arena  for  the  first  time.  Even  to 
some  exhibitors  who  have  spent  many  years  in  the  show  tents, 
a  little  knowledge  would  be  beneficial  if  they  would  only  open 
their  eyes  to  personal  faults.  Fortunately,  that  crude  method 
of  staging  Japanese  blooms  upon  the  orthodox  stand  is  fast 
becoming  obsolete ;  in  fact,  if  executives  generally  could  adopt 
the  “vase”  method  of  staging  the  Japanese  section  entirely, 
a  better  effect  would  be  produced.  The  full  value  of  this  type  of 
Chrysanthemum  would  be  displayed  in  its  true  charactei',  and 
visitors  would  have  less  cause  to  complain  than  at  present. 
I  am  quite  aware  that  such  a  drastic  change  as  this  suggested 
means  much  more  to  many  societies  than  the  mere  idea  of  change. 
The  procuring  of  suitable  vases  means  much  expense  to  a  society 
that  can  at  the  present  moment  only  just  present  a  clean  balance- 
sheet.  Exhibitors  cannot,  of  course,  be  expected  to  provide 
their  own  vases.  The  difficulty,  too,  of  transit  of  blooms  on 
long  stems  is  increased  over  that  where  the  orthodox  stand  only 
is  employed.  In  arranging  the  blooms  in  either  vases  or  stand.s, 
the  great  point  is  to  avoid  overcrowding;  arrange  every  bloom 
in  such  a  manner  that  all  its  points  of  excellence  are  displayed 
fully.  When  arranging  in  stands  by  the  aid  of  cups  and  tubes, 
an  even  stand  should  be  the  aim  of  an  exhibitor  in  size,  colour, 
arrangement,  and  freshness.  Some  exhibitors  place  two  large 
blooms  side  by  side  because  the  colour  harmonises  better ;  but 
this  latter  point  does  not  receive  the  same  consideration  from 
judges  as  some  imagine  it  ought.  Of  course,  where  two  com¬ 
peting  stands  are  close  in  point  of  merit,  then  harmony  of  colour 
scores  a  point. 
In  -the  ordinary  “vase”  classes,  seldom  are  mixed  varieties' 
placed  in  the  same  vase.  Generally  three  or  five  blooms  of  one 
sort  are  required,  and  for  producing  a  pleasing  effect  this  arrange¬ 
ment  has  much  to  recomnrend  it.  Some  cut  the  stems  too  long, 
which  renders  the  blooms  somewhat  gaunt  in  appearance,  especi¬ 
ally  if  they  be  below  medium  size  ;  others  err  in  the  oppo.site 
direction  by  giving  the  blooms  a  “  dumpy  ”  appearance,  particu¬ 
larly  when  they  are  large  examples.  The  point  is  to  display  the 
blooms  with  just  sufficient  foliage  to  give  effect  to  the  blooms, 
and  by  all  means  so  arrange  the  stems  that  the  petals  of  one 
bloom  in  the’  same  vase  do  not  overlap  those  of  its  neighbour — a 
too  common  fault,  even  by  the  leading  exhibitors. 
Xaininq  the  hlonms  is  very  im  poiiant  to  all  concerned.  Exhibi¬ 
tors,  in  the  interest  of  nurserymen,  should  be  particular  in  this, 
as  it  saves  much  annoyance  to  the  cultivator  next  season,  and 
a  loss  of  trade  to  the  vendor  also.  Visitors  to  the  autumn  shows 
see  and  admire  certain  kind.s ;  they  order  them  from  some 
specialist,  who  supplies  the  sorts  ordered,  and,  when  they  bloom 
the  following  season,  are  found  different  to  those  seen  at  the 
show  in  question,  because  the  exhibitor  had  them  improperly 
named. 
Instances  of  wrong  naming  cannot  disqualify  an  exhibitor, 
but  they  prove  very  annoying  to  those  wdiose  experience  is  not 
superior  in  judgment  or  knowledge.  The  manner  in  which  the 
blooms  are  n^med  at  many  shows  needs  strong  condemnation, 
for  so  badly  are  the  names  spelt  and  written,  that  it  is  with 
difficulty  they  can  be  read  at  all.  In  the  crush  that  often  prevails 
at  shows,  this  is  anything  but  pleasant  for  the  visitor.  Exhibi¬ 
tors  should  bear  in  mind  that  they,  important  as  they  are,  are 
not  the  only  persons  the  society  has  to  cater  for. 
Another  point  I  would  draw  attention  to  is  the  all  too  common 
plan  that  some  exhibitor.s — disappointed  ones  generally — have  of 
standing  in  front  of  an  exhibit,  arguing  points  of  quality  (in 
none  too  lo-u’  a  tone  at  times),  to  the  discomfort  of  visitors,  and 
not  with  credit  to  themselves.  I  quite  forgot  to  say  that  the 
best  system  of  naming  is  that  of  small  printed  cards,  firmly  placed 
in  front  of  each  bloom  or  vase.  In  the  case  of  naming  in  .stands, 
the  three  names  .should  be  placed  in  front  of  each  row  of  three 
blooms  in  the  order  of  arrangement.  A  cheap  yet  efficient 
method  of  naming  is  that  of  writing  the  names  clearly  on  an 
ordinary  envelope,  the  flap  being  used  for  sticking  it  to  the  board 
in  front  of  the  blooms.  The  worst  plan  of  naming  is  that  of 
writing  all  the  names  closely  together  on  a  half  sheet  of  note 
paper,  laying  it  in  front  of  the  stand  to  be  pushed  on  to  the 
floor  by  the  first  crush  of  visitors. 
One  m^'re  suggestion  to  the  exhibitor,  then  I  must  close  :  j 
avoid  being  late  in  staging.  Not  only  does  this  limit  the  oppor¬ 
tunity  of  the  exhibitor  to  put  the  finishing  touches  to  his  blooms, 
but  it  is  a  source  of  serious  importance  to  judges  to  be  prevented 
commencing  their  labours  in  reasonable  time,  and  to  the  officials 
also  in  presenting  the  room  in  a  tidy  appearance  to  the  vi.sitors. 
If  judges  do  make  some  slight  mistakes  owing  to  a  lack  of  time 
to  examine  sufficiently  the  exhibits,  how,  then,  can  they  be 
blamed  in  consequence? — E.  Molyneux,  V.M.H. 
Feeding. 
The  plants  will  receive  great  benefit  from  judicious  feeding. 
When  the  pots  are  full  of  roots  it  is  essential  to  afford  some  help 
in  addition  to  the  supplies  of  water.  Clear  soot  water  may  be 
given  frequently,  alternating  this  .stimulant  with  others  made 
from  sheep,  cow,  and  horse  manure.  A  peck  of  either  of  the  above 
may  be  placed  in  a  bag  and  sunk  in  about  twenty-five  gallons 
of  water  in  a  tub.  Soot  water  is  made  clear  by  mixing  in  a 
.shovelful  of  lime  with  the  above  quantity,  and  allow  to  stand 
until  clear.  The  concenti'ated  artificial  manures  are  excellent, 
and  ought  to  be  used  according  to  the  vendor’s  directions  supplied 
with  each  tin  or  bag.  Their  too  frequent  use  is  not  to  be  recom¬ 
mended,  nor  are  the  special  or  nitrogenous  manures,  .such  as 
nitrate  of  soda  and  sulphate  of  ammonia,  to  be  used  indiscrimi¬ 
nately.  The  systematic  applications  of  all  stimulants  .should 
cease  when  the  blooms  have  well  developed,  giving  the  plants 
only  clear  w'ater.  Should  the  soil  at  any  time  become  drier  than 
usual,  clear  water  only  ought  to  be  used  to  moisten  it,  following 
afterwards  with  any  manurial  applications. — E.  D.  S. 
Early  Chrysanthemums  on  Tayside. 
Although  not  pos.ses.sing  the  massive  appearance  of  the  exhi¬ 
bition  Japanese  varieties,  which  rejoice  the  heart  of  the  enthu- 
.siastic  competitor,  there  is  a  grace  and  neatness  about  the  early 
flowering  Chrysanthemums  which  commends  them  to  the  ordinary 
admirer  of  these  now  indispensable  florvers.  This  was  forcibly 
brought  home  to  me  a  few  days  ago  when  visiting  the  beautiful 
gardens  of  Sir  Robert  Pullar,  at  Tayside,  Perth.  There  I  saw' 
in  the  conservatory  a  number  of  plants  growing  in  pots  GJin  in 
diameter,  neat  little  specimens,  15in  to  I8in  in  height,  well 
furni.shed  with  foliage  down  to  the  pot,  and  each  carrying  ten 
beautiful  blooms  averaging  five  or  six  inches  in  diameter.  Plants 
of  this  description  are  much  more  useful  for  decorative  work  than 
the  long,  leggy  .specimens  growm  to  produce  exhibition  blooms. 
The  varieties  growm  at  Tay,side  are  principally  Mytchett  White 
and  Goacher’s  Crimson,  both  of  which  seemed  iDarticularly  amen¬ 
able  to  this  style  of  culture,  forming  perfect  little  specimens. 
A.sking  Mr.  McDonald  as  to  the  treatment  given,  his  reply  was 
brief  and  to  the  point,  viz.,  secure  good  cuttings,  root  in  the 
usual  way,  pinch  wdien  three  inches  high,  and  again  after  the 
plants  have  made  another  three  inches  of  grow'th,  then  secure 
the  first  bud,  and  do  not  feed  heavily. 
Growing  in  the  open,  w'e  observed  these  two  varieties  doing 
remarkably  well.  Our  experience  of  Mytchett  White  led  us  to 
conclude  that  it  was  an  exceedingly  .shy  grower;  but  at  Tayside 
it  gives  no  trouble,  being  quite  robust  in  growth  and  very 
floriferous.  Pari.siana,  growing  side  by  side  with  it,  was  not 
nearly  so  fine,  despite  the  high  recommendations  -with  which  it 
w'as  sent  out.  Another  very  fine  variety  we  noticed  is  Craigmillar, 
a  yellow  pompon,  superior  in  every  way  to  Flora  or  Precocite. . 
This  is  a  decicled  acqui.sition,  and  well  worthy  of  a  place  amongst 
early  flowering  sorts. — Albyn. 
Official  Catalogue  of  the  N.C.5. 
A  supplement  to  the  National  Chrysanthemum  Society’s 
Jubilee  Edition  has  been  i.ssued,  bringing  up  matters  connected 
with  the  Chrysanthemuni  to  1903.  To  those  who  do'  not  possess 
or  know  anything  about  the  N.C.S.  Catalogue,  we  would  men¬ 
tion  that  there  is  an  alphabetical  list  of  Chry.santhemums  raised 
or  sent  out  since  the  spring  of  1896,  with  their  sections  indicated 
and  their  colours  described.  There  are  also  selected  li-sts  of 
every  section,  apart  from  the  complete  list.  It  is  published  at 
Is.  Apply  to  R.  Dean,  Ranelagh  Road,  Ealing. 
- - 
Battersea  Park  annual  exhibition  of  Chrysanthemums  opened 
last  week.  The  Chrysanthemum  House,  near  the  Albert  Bridge 
entrance  to  the  park,  contains  thousands  of  magnificent  blossom.s. 
A  Great  Californian  Seed  Farm. — The  “  Scientific  Ameri¬ 
can  ”  supplement,  No.  1,143,  August  29,  gives  a  fine  illustrated 
account  of  the  seed  farms  of  C.  C.  Morse  and  Company,  Santa 
Clara,  Cal. 
The  World’s  Fair  at  St.  Louis. — The  propagating  depart¬ 
ment  at  the  World’s  Fair  grounds  is  a  busy  place  just  now.  Two 
hundred  thousand  plants  are  already  on  hand,  mith  thirty  men 
making  cuttings.  It  is  e.stimated  that  four  million  plants  will 
be  used  in  the  landscape  department.  About  one  million  Pansies 
and  BellLs  will  be  used  in  the  early  spring.  The  range  of  hot¬ 
beds  is  being  piped  for  .steam  heating. 
