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HANDBOOKS OF
PRACTICAL GARDENING

THE BOOK OF
THE

OWER SHOW

S CHARLE S H , CURTI 5 ,

HANDBOOKS OF PRACTICAL GARDENING
EDITED BY HARRY ROBERTS

THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

THE BOOK OF THE
FLOWER SHOW

BY

CHARLES H. CURTIS, F.R.H.S.

» «

ASSISTANT EDITOR " GARDENERS* MAGAZINE"; HON. SEC. NATIONAL

SWEET PEA SOCIETY J HON. SEC. ROYAL HORTICULTURAL

SOCIETY'S NARCISSUS AND TULII- COMMITTEE;

ETC. ETC.

LONDON: JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD
NEW YORK: JOHN LANE COMPANY. MCMX

Tv-rnbull & Shears, Printers, Edinburgh

PREFACE

No effort has hitherto been made to bring together those
various items of information which a newly formed
or re-organised Horticultural Society so often needs.
Questions relative to the formation and conduct of a
society reach the Horticultural Journals week by week
and seem to point to the need of some such work as the
present. There are other matters of moment to society
officials, such as tenting, halls, staging for the exhibits,
heating, ventilation and insurance, but these are all so
directly governed by local circumstances, they have not
been included in the scope of this book. The aim has
been to produce a handbook that will prove valuable as
a work of reference to those who have the conduct of
Flower Shows, and the compilation of rules and regula-
tions for the government of societies ; it has also been
produced for the purpose of helping all but the oldest
and wariest of that great army of amateur and profess-
ional gardeners who love to stage the products of their
skill in competition with those of their fellows. If the
book proves helpful in these directions its purpose will
be served.

CHARLES H. CURTIS.

BRENTFORD,

March 1910.

253058

CONTENTS

PAGE

PREFACE ....... v

CHAP.

I. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES . . . . . i

II. CONSTITUTION AND RULES ..... 8

III. SHOW REGULATIONS . . . . .18

IV. CUT FLOWERS . . . . . .31

V. EXHIBITION BOARDS, STANDS, ETC. . . . .63

VI. FRUITS ....... jz

VII. STAGING FRUITS, QUANTITIES, ETC. . . .80

VIII. VEGETABLES . ... 94

IX. PROTESTS ....... 102

INDEX ....... 107

vii

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

A FAMOUS FRUIT SHOW ..... Frontispiece

FACING PAGE
CINERARIAS AND BEGONIAS AT THE TEMPLE SHOW . . 4

A SPECIMEN CATTLEYA ... ... 8

GROUP OF INDIAN AZALEAS . . . . .8

A SPECIMEN MILTONIA ...... 20

A SPECIMEN LAELIA ...... 20

A SPECIMEN COLEUS . . . . . z6

SWEET PEAS AND ANEMONES . . . . .34

ASTERS AND CHRYSANTHEMUMS . . . . 38

A CHILDREN'S FLOWER SHOW ..... 38

FINE FOLIAGE PLANTS AT THE TEMPLE SHOW . . 48

A BEAUTIFUL EXHIBIT OF CUT ROSES . . .52

AN EXHIBITION BUNCH OF SWEET PEAS . . . .56

A MAGNIFICENT GROUP OF ORCHIDS . . . .62

A SWEET PKA TEMPLE . .... 68

MR CRANE'S METHOD OF EXHIBITING VIOLAS . . .70

A WONDERFUL DISPLAY OF VEGETABLES . . . .70

A COLLECTION OF CHOICE FRUITS . . . .80

POTATOES AT THE WHITE CITY . . . . .94

A CHAMPION VEGETABLE EXHIBIT . , . .100

THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

THE
BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

CHAPTER I
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES

HORTICULTURAL and Floral Societies abound in the United
Kingdom and, in addition to those having their beginning
and ending in an annual exhibition, there are very many
others, of the Mutual Improvement Society class, that
provide further educational advantages and, usually,
arrange for a small monthly competition among their
members. It would not be a difficult, though it would
be a tedious business, to compile a list of one thousand
societies which hold one or more exhibitions each year.
Some hold spring, summer, and autumn exhibitions,
others arrange for smaller special exhibitions each month,
while the Royal Horticultural Society holds a quite large
exhibition each fortnight, throughout the year.

It is reasonable to assume that horticultural competi-
tions arose out of comparatively small non-competitive
exhibitions. This kind of evolution is continually in
progress. A Society is formed for the mutual discussion
of horticultural subjects, and often as the result of the
frequent meeting of a few congenial spirits at the home
of one of them, or at an inn. The Society increases
in membership, and members bring interesting plants,
flowers, fruits, and vegetables, or specially well-grown
produce, and then the spirit of friendly rivalry is set up.
Mr Brown believes he can grow carrots as fine as those

2 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

Mr Jones has displayed, and he says so to his friends.
The friends pass on this half challenge to Mr Jones,
through Mr Jones' friends, and eventually a competi-
tion is arranged. Then other challenges are given and
accepted, and so an exhibition is made, and eventually a
prize list is drawn up each year, and the Flower Show
becomes an institution.

These are ways in which a Flower Show begins.
Sometimes an active, zealous man conceives the idea that
an exhibition would be a success in his district. He
invites a few friends to his house to discuss the matter,
and then proceeds to interview the leading ladies and
gentlemen of the place. Having received fair encourage-
ment, he persuades the Vicar, Mayor, or Chairman of the
District Council to call or preside over a public meeting.
He acts as Honorary Secretary, and, having a carefully
prepared scheme to place before the meeting, backed up
by promises of prizes from the local nobility and gentry,
seedsmen, and local traders, a Horticultural Society is at
once created and an exhibition arranged for. The latter
is usually held in a park, garden, or meadow, kindly lent
by a local celebrity and enthusiast.

In some few instances a Flower Show has been started
by, or with the encouragement of, the local authorities
for the purpose of adding to the attractions of the
town. Other exhibitions are held for the purpose of
assisting local charities. The famous Shrewsbury Fete,
begun in a small way, has grown to be the largest Flower
Show in the country. Side shows, horse-leaping, etc.,
add to the attractions of the splendid plants, flowers,
fruits, and vegetables, and enormous sums of money are
taken at the gate. The Fete has become an annual
holiday for folks all along the Welsh Border, and still
farther afield also. It has been my lot to visit the Fete
for seventeen successive years, and watch some of the
progress made, as well as see some of the many advantages

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES 3

the town has derived directly from the profits of the
undertaking, though concerning the amount of money
the two days' show must bring into and circulate through
the town, it is not possible to speak.

It will be gathered from the foregoing remarks that
Flower Shows begin in various ways : doubtless there are
other kinds of " beginnings" than those referred to.

Every exhibition of horticultural produce, whether it be
a tiny display in an upper room, a modest local effort,
a good district show, or a huge London or Provincial
gathering, should be of distinctly educational value,
otherwise there is no good reason for its existence. Even
if the sacred cause of charity is the motive power, the
exhibition must be of educational as well as competitive
and spectacular interest, or it will sooner or later,
collapse. It is quite possible to arrange for a special
class or classes that will be the means of attracting the
most successful competitors from all parts of the country,
and, as a rule, this feature proves a profitable one,
because so many people will go to see the exhibits staged
by famous competitors.

In the case of quite small local shows, where it would
be a practical impossibility to secure a very large attend-
ance, the institution of expensive Open Classes would
be a foolish proceeding. It is equally foolish for
Societies that are well situated and have a fairly wide
field of operation, to exclude classes open to all the
country. It is no secret, however, that some Committees
will not even consider the question of Open Classes.
They are, apparently, afraid the prize money will not
be won by a local competitor, and so their selfishness
prevents the Society from advancing as it should do.

Some well-known Flower Shows are such by reason
of the big prizes offered, but their success lies upon a
very insecure foundation. A couple of wet seasons,
with a consequent loss of gate money, may put the

4 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

balance on the wrong side of the financial statement.
The Committee, hoping for the best, retrenches,
reduces the prize money, and then the gold-seekers
avoid the exhibition, the public finds the Show less
attractive, and the Society is wound up or ekes out a
purely local existence. Prizes should be good, but not
excessive, and every Committee should endeavour to
create and foster a local, district, or national enthusiasm,
so that the glory and honour of winning should out-
weigh the monetary consideration.

"Where a Society holds several exhibitions during the
year, the opportunity of providing seasonal displays is
afforded. Such displays deserve every encouragement.
A general exhibition, such as one held in July or
August, is of general interest, and is the kind most
usually provided. But there are numerous Societies
that confine their attention to some special kind or
class of flower, fruit, or vegetable. Among the
former there are such notable Societies as the National
Rose Society, National Sweet Pea Society, National
Chrysanthemum Society, National Dahlia Society,
National Carnation Society, Midland Daffodil Society,
Cornwall Daffodil Society, etc., on the one hand, and
the small village exhibitions of asters, auriculas,
marigolds, dahlias, etc., on the other. Turning to
vegetables, we used to have a National Potato Society,
and a National Vegetable Society is now established.
Vegetables are a great feature at Shrewsbury and
Edinburgh, but there are numbers of Societies and
Clubs that devote their whole attention to leeks, especi-
ally in the northern counties, and the enthusiasm
is very great among the members. Among fruits the
same thing holds good, for we have the Royal Horti-
cultural Society's great Fruit Show on the one hand,
and the many small gooseberry shows of the Midlands
and the North.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES 5

Novelty is the spice of life, and in every exhibition,
no matter what its kind or size, unless there are new
plants, new contributions, new methods of staging, or
new kinds or varieties of the special subject dealt with,
enthusiasm wanes, and interest sinks. It is most
unfortunate for any Society when it becomes a fore-
gone conclusion that certain prizes will fall to certain
competitors, and it sometimes happens that the salvation
of a Society is effected by means of a young and daring
David who is not afraid to try and lower Goliath's
colours. He often succeeds.

The creation of new classes should be the concern of
every Committee, for even if such classes be somewhat
of a failure, they provide texts for the talkative, and
suggest something of greater interest. Too often, also,
a Committee is overweighted by those who know they
have an excellent chance of winning certain prizes, and
so certain classes are included in the schedule year after
year, even though they have ceased to interest the
general public.

There are many ways in which a general Flower
Show may be of great educational value. Correct and
legible labelling of plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables
should be enforced at all competitive displays. Quite
frequently any complaints made against incorrect
and illegible labelling are met by the statement that,
however desirable correctness and legibility may be, it
is impossible to secure thejn by rule. I venture to
differ. A rule should provide for the imposition of a
penalty for bad labelling, and the addition of points
for good labelling. Such a rule would have the
desired effect upon those who have grown careless, and
who enter in more classes than they can properly
manage.

Fine produce is an excellent object-lesson. Every
competitor who has real grit wants to reach the top, and

6 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

it is one of the great encouragements at local shows to
watch a person rise steadily from the ranks of the
" unplaced," through the various prize grades, up to the
coveted " First." This is usually good evidence of
improved cultivation of the soil, or closer attention to
the small details that mean so much in the aggregate.
Anything that serves to improve the quality and increase
the quantity of the produce from a garden is worthy of
support and encouragement.

Though it cannot be regarded as a general rule, it may
be taken for granted that mostly the best kinds or varieties
will be more largely shown than others, and it is in this
connection that an Audit of the varieties of Apples,
Roses, etc., exhibited at any show, becomes useful.

Very little is done by show Committees to encourage
and popularise new plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
In the case of vegetables this is just as well perhaps,
because new names are plentiful while new and distinct
varieties are not so abundant ; a class for new vegetables
might lead to trouble and confusion. A very interesting
class, and one of considerable educational value would be
one for a display of new varieties of florists' flowers
introduced within the two years preceding the date of
the show. Such a class could, if necessary, be limited
to hardy flowers. Turning to plants, as distinct from
flowers, the possibilities of a class for those introduced
since a certain stated date are considerable. The same
lines might be followed with fruits. Even though com-
petition might not be very keen in such classes, the
exhibits would bring the newer things before the public
in a striking manner. They would also give the press-
men an opportunity of which they would not be slow to
take advantage, and though the story of the new flowers,
etc., might be more wonderful than truthful, the great
point is that attention would be drawn to the work of
the Society.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES 7

This suggests at once the desirability of keeping in
touch with the Press. In some Societies a competent
member of Committee is told off to provide reports and
news paragraphs for the local and horticultural press ; in
others the work falls upon the Secretary. A great deal
depends upon the skill, enterprise, and good humour of
what we may call the Publicity Department of a Horti-
cultural Society. Editors are human, and a neatly
written or typed report of a meeting, or a bright
paragraph relating to some interesting exhibit, discussion,
or event, is always welcomed, especially if it comes from
some one having authority or experience, and is sent with
a pleasantly worded request " for insertion in your
valuable journal," etc., etc.

But, after all, one can only suggest a few of the uses
and possibilities of a Horticultural Society. In the
limits of space at disposal only the fringe of the subject
can be touched upon. I hold that no Society should
exist wholly and solely for the purpose of running an
annual exhibition. Lectures should be arranged for,
demonstrations given, and discussions started, for the
purpose of keeping members and supporters together all
the year, and for adding materially to the usefulness of
the Society. The programme of lectures and meetings
should be made as attractive as possible, and, if the
Society is made up entirely of professional gardeners,
the young men should be given their opportunity to
shine. Once or twice during the winter season some
well-known authority should be engaged to lecture ; it
is a mistake to have none but local lecturers, even
though every one be a high authority — we all like to see
and hear the people we read about and who are famous
in our own profession. Societies that hold exhibitions
and also arrange a programme of Lectures are usually a
great success, as they deserve to be.

CHAPTER II
CONSTITUTION AND RULES

WHEN a Horticultural Society is being formed it is
essential that its Constitution and Rules be set out as
simply and completely as possible. It is very doubtful
whether any set of Rules will cover every point that may
arise in the work of a Society. Some Societies have
well-nigh strangled themselves with Rules, while others,
with a few simple, direct Rules, and a comparatively
small, trusted Committee, go ahead. The following
suggestions may serve as a guide for those who have to
draw up Rules : —

I.— TITLE

The title of the Society shall be "The BROWNSTOWN
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETT."

Obviously the title will vary with the objects of the
Society and the limits of its operations. If the member-
ship is to be confined to Amateurs then "Amateur"
should be inserted before " Horticultural." If fruits
and vegetables are to be left outside the scope of opera-
tions, then " Floricultural" should be substituted for
" Horticultural."

II. — OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY

The objects of the Society shall be to encourage the cultivation
of fruits, flowers, plants, and vegetables , by means of exhibitions,
lectures, or by any other means the Committee may determine.

There is opportunity for considerable elaboration in
this Rule, but if the main idea or ideas are stated, and

8

Photo. E. T. Lamb
A SPECIMEN CATTLEYA

Cattleya Tna.no; Hydra, 7i>tth 36 flowers, from Lt.-Col. Holford's Collection of orchids at U'estonbirt,

Gloucester

GROUP OF INDIAN AZALEAS AT THE ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY S EXHIBITION

CONSTITUTION AND RULES 9

the Committee has freedom to develop them, little or
nothing further is needed.

III. — MEMBERSHIP

The Society shall consist of Members subscribing not less
than 2s. 6d. per annum.

The minimum subscription should be stated, and in some
Societies, where members are divided into Gardeners,
Nurserymen, Amateurs, Cottagers, and Allotment
Holders, it will be necessary to state and define the
various kinds of members, and the minimum subscrip-
tion for each. The Royal Horticultural Society regards
every one as an Amateur who does not grow horticultural
produce for sale, but in local Societies this general
definition is not regarded as sufficient, and, for show
purposes, professional gardeners employed in private
gardens are regarded as a class distinct, and not as
representing their amateur employers, consequently
Amateurs are then defined as " those not employing a
gardener regularly," or in some other way that satisfies
local requirements. The National Sweet Pea Society
provides Classes either '* Open to All," or " Trade
Excluded," but it has a sub-section of its schedule for
" Growers who do not employ a gardener regularly."
An Amateur, strictly speaking, should not compete for
money prizes, but in horticultural circles the law or
custom is not so severe as in the world of athletics.

Here is a helpful definition of a Cottager : — A Bond-
fide Cottage Gardener is a person not employing any
assistance in the cultivation of his garden, or working
for any other person as a Gardener, Assistant-Gardener,
Day Gardener, or a Market Gardener.

A Rule defining the various grades of Membership
should obviate the need of a Regulation for the Classi-
fication of Competitors.

io THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

IV. — PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS

Subscribers shall be entitled to admission to all exhibitions
and meetings of the Society, and shall receive tickets in accord-
ance nvith the amount subscribed. Subscribers' tickets 'will
admit from 12 noon to 2 p.m. on the opening day of the
Exhibition.

The Cardiff Society has, in place of the above : —
Subscribers of los. 6d. per annum will be entitled to
four tickets of admission to the Show ; and of one
guinea, or a larger sum, to a proportionate number of
tickets.

Here is another similar Rule, but this embodies
Membership also : — That an Annual Subscription of
2s. 6d. constitutes Membership ; all Members to be
allowed free admission to the Exhibition. Subscribers
of 55. allowed two tickets, of IDS. 6d. three tickets, and
of 2 is. four tickets.

V. — OFFICERS

The Officers of the Society shall consist of a President,
Vice-President s, Treasurer, Secretary, and Chairman of Com-
mittees, to be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the
Society. All subscribers of not less than one guinea per
annum shall be Vice-Presidents of the Society.

The above is practically the Rule adopted by the
National Sweet Pea Society, but such a Rule is open to
considerable variation. Some Societies elect two Vice-
Presidents, and all other subscribers of 2 is. and upwards
are classed as patrons. In such case, the Vice-
Presidents are summoned to meetings of the general
Committee, but they are rarely summoned to the meetings
when their qualification is simply a financial one.

Some Societies indicate their officers under the heading

CONSTITUTION AND RULES n

of "Management." Slightly modified, the following
is the Rule of the National Chrysanthemum Society : —

The management of the Society shall be vested in
the Officers of the Society, viz : — A President, Vice-
Presidents, Treasurer, Chairman of the Executive
Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Com-
mittee, a Foreign Corresponding Secretary, a General
Secretary, an Executive Committee of thirty-six
Members, and the Delegates from Affiliated Societies.
The President, Treasurer, Chairman, and Vice-Chairman,
shall be ex-officio Members of all Sub-Committees.

The N.C.S. has not a General and an Executive
Committee, and its Secretary, being a paid officer, is
not an ex-officio member ; in other words, he has no vote.
An Honorary Secretary invariably has a vote, and a
seat on the Committee.

VI. — MANAGEMENT

The business of the Society shall be conducted by a Committee)
to be elected at the Annual General Meeting, such Committee
having power to appoint an Executive Committee of fifteen
persons from its o*wn Members, for the preparation or the
conduct of any business. Five Members shall form a quorum.
The Committee shall have power to fill vacancies in any office
or Committee occurring during the year. The President,
Treasurer, Chairman, and Secretary shall be ex-officio Members
of all Committees.

In a Rule of this character it is wise to define the
number of members of General Committee, and I am
favourably inclined towards a qualification for such
members, either residential or financial. There should
be a certain number of members of Committee retired
annually, either one-half or one-third. The annual
re-election of a Committee is not good when the Society
is of some standing, because the experience of members

12 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

who have sat for a year is valuable to the new mem-
bers, and, generally speaking, some continuity of policy
is desirable. Frequent absence should disqualify for
re-election.

The following affords an excellent basis for a Rule
of this kind : — The Society shall be governed by a
President, and an Executive Committee of fifteen — five
to retire annually by rotation and to be eligible for
re-election — to be elected at the Annual General
Meeting, three to form a quorum, to whom shall be
committed the sole management, and power to fill up
any vacancies. Any member of the Executive Com-
mittee failing to do the work allotted to him, or to
attend three successive meetings without satisfactory
reason, shall cease to be a member of the Executive
Committee, but shall be eligible for re-election.
Members 30 minutes late to be considered non-attenders.
No one shall be eligible to serve on the Executive
Committee unless a subscriber of at least los. 6d., or
on the General Committee unless a subscriber of at
least 55.

A very simple Rule is as follows : — The Committee
shall conduct the general business of the Society, frame
Rules for all Exhibitions, and shall have power to fill
up any vacancy that may occur among their number.

VII. — COMMITTEE

The Committee shall consist of eighteen members,, six to be
amateurs, six professional gardeners, and six cottagers.

Under certain circumstances, a Rule of this kind is
deemed necessary, so that the interests of all classes
may be cared for ; but as a general principle the most
energetic and useful members, whatever their status,
will be elected to the Committee, even though there is
no Rule enforcing equal class representation.

CONSTITUTION AND RULES 13

VIII. — DUTIES OF OFFICERS

PRESIDENT. — The office of President is to preside over the
Annual and Special General Meetings, open the Exhibition, and
take the Chair at all functions of a ceremonial nature. ViCE-
PRESIDENTS. — In the absence of the President, the Committee
shall have power to invite any Vice-President to fill his place.
TREASURER. — The Treasurer shall supervise the accounts and
Ji nances of the Society, and present interim reports to the
Committee from time to time. He shall sign, jointly ivith the
Secretary, all cheques in payment of accounts duly passed by the
Committee. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE. — The Chairman
of Committee shall preside over all meetings of the Committee.
VICE-CHAIRMAN. — The Vice-Chairman shall, in the absence
of the Chairman, preside over the Committee with full powers
as the Chairman.

It is not usual to set out the duties of the various
officers as indicated in the above Rule, and there is
some difficulty in so defining the duties that everything
shall be provided for and no one shall trespass upon
the duties of another. Every officer should be prepared
to carry out the duties that devolve upon him, observing
the spirit as well as the letter of the law. In the above
Rule no arrangement is made for banking the money,
or even for receiving it, consequently where duties are
severely defined it may fall to the lot of the Treasurer
to collect subscriptions and other moneys due, and he
may be required to pay all such moneys into a certain
bank But the duty of collecting and banking the
moneys very frequently falls to the lot of the Secretary,
and as he is a most important officer, his duties may well
need a separate Rule.

IX. — THE SECRETARY

The duties of the SECRETARY are : — To attend all meetings of
the Society, Committees, Sub-Committees, and other functions

14 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

of the Society. To keep the books, records, and minutes of all
such meetings, and conduct the correspondence of the Society,
other than the Foreign and Colonial correspondence (unless
required}. To attend and remain present during the whole
duration of the Society's various Shows, and to assist at the
same as may be reasonably required by the Committee of the
Society. To perform the 'whole of the clerical 'work of the
Society, and to negotiate and make all necessary arrangements
for and in connection with the Society s Shows. To collect and
receive all moneys due to the Society, and pay the same into
the Society's bankers forthwith, and give official printed
receipts for the same. Subject to the directions of the Com-
mittee, to have the custody and preserve the books, papers, and
general effects of the Society, and deliver up the same to the
Executive Committee at the end of his engagement. He shall
also in all things carry out such duties as are specified in the
rules and regulations of the Society, where applicable, and
carry out the reasonable directions of the Committee whenever
called upon so to do.

Here is a much simpler Rule that will be suitable for
several Societies : — The Secretary for the time being shall
take charge of all the books, papers, etc., belonging to
the Society, and it shall be his duty to convene all
meetings, and conduct the correspondence. All moneys
shall be paid over to the Treasurer as soon as received,
who shall make payment only by cheque signed by him-
self, Chairman, and Secretary.

The extended Rule is more especially applicable in
the case of a paid Secretary, but it may be modified to
suit any Society, whether the Secretary is an honorary or
a paid official.

There is no doubt whatever that the Secretary is the
most important officer in a Horticultural Society. He
may make or mar the success of the Society, not merely
by the work he does, or fails to do, but by his manner.

CONSTITUTION AND RULES 15

If he be enthusiastic and untiringly energetic he has
excellent qualifications, but his enthusiasm must be
tempered by wisdom and a knowledge of the people
with whom he has to do. He must be able to conduct
the clerical work of the Society — that goes without say-
ing, and smartness in this matter counts for a great deal.
He must be genial and good tempered, and yet fearless
in carrying out the Rules of the Society. He must be
a good organiser and have the knack of getting good
work out of the leading members, so that the Show
arrangements run smoothly. He must be quick to act,
when needs be, on an emergency, but he must be always
prepared to justify his conduct under such pressure, for
he will most certainly have to answer for it in Committee.
He must be the first on the Show-ground and the last to
leave it ; he must be everywhere, and yet not get in the
way of any one. Officious he should not be, and though
on very rare occasions it may be necessary to use the
iron hand of rigid justice, he will find the velvet glove
of persuasiveness is equally effectual and less irksome
to the culprit. A good Secretary must possess originality,
and an even temper will stand him in good stead when
he brings new ideas before his Committee. He should
also have the saving grace of humour, and a spirit
capable of rising above the pettiness that not seldom
surrounds the competition for prizes. A Secretary
should also be a " presentable " man, and of ready speech,
as these things tend to secure new members and many
special prizes. A Secretary should never have need to
demand respect — he should be a man whom every one
unconsciously respects. I do not in any degree wish
to minimise the great work the Chairman and other
officers can do for a Society, but I say unhesitatingly
that the first aim of any Society should be to secure a
suitable Secretary, a worker, not a mere office-holder,
and one who will put the success of the Society

1 6 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

beyond any consideration of personal convenience and
interest.

X. — ACCOUNTS

The Accounts of the Society shall be kept by the Treasurer
and General Secretary, and be closed on the ... All
accounts shall be passed by the Committee, and paid by cheque
signed by the Treasurer and Secretary. The Accounts of the
Society shall be audited prior to the Annual General Meeting.

A modification of this Rule will be needed, and where
the Annual Meeting date is fixed it will be an easy
matter to close the accounts a fortnight or so previously.

XI. — ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting shall be held at such place as
the Executive Committee may determine between the first week
in October and last week in November, to consider the Financial
Statements and Treasurer's Accounts for the past year, to receive
the Executive Committee's Report, to elect a President, Vice-
Presidents, Chairman, Vice -Chair man, Honorary Treasurer,
Auditor, Secretary, and General Committee. Subscribers only
'will be allowed to vote whose subscription for the previous
year has been paid.

The practice of fixing a time for the Annual Meeting
is to be commended. The above Rule allows a consider-
able margin in this matter. If there is a week evening
specially convenient for the majority of members, say a
Monday, then it should be possible to arrange for the
Annual Meeting to be held on the second Monday in
October or December. October is a good month for
an Annual Meeting, as the holiday season is over, the
Chrysanthemum Season is hardly yet begun, there has
been time to clear up accounts, and there is plenty of
time to prepare for another year. Chrysanthemum

CONSTITUTION AND RULES 17

Societies should hold their Annual Meeting as soon as
possible after the Exhibition.

A very simple Rule of this character is : — An Annual
General Meeting of the Members shall be held in the
month of December in each year, to receive the Report
of the Committee, the Treasurer's Financial Statement,
to elect President, Vice-Presidents, Officers, and Com-
mittee, and for such other purposes as may be necessary.

XII. — SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

On the receipt of a requisition, signed by not less than twenty
Members, the Secretary shall call a Special General Meeting
not less than fourteen days after receiving such requisition ,
'which shall specify the matters for 'which the meeting is called,
and no further business shall be discussed or transacted thereat.

A Rule of this kind is very necessary. It enables
members to call a Committee to account when the policy
pursued appears likely to lead to failure. It also enables
the Committee to call the members together to consider
a new policy, or the formation of new Rules rendered
necessary by special circumstances, etc.,

XIII. — ALTERATION OF RULES

Alterations, amendments, or additions to Rules shall only be
made at the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General
Meeting called for that purpose. Notice of intention to propose
alterations, amendments, or additions to the Rules shall be sent
to the Secretary not less than twenty-one days prior to the
meeting.

This is a safe and very necessary Rule, as it ensures
the due consideration of any proposal before it can
become law.

CHAPTER III
SHOW REGULATIONS

A SET of Regulations governing a Society's exhibition
or exhibitions is usually arranged separately from the
Rules under which the Society is itself managed.
Regulations deal particularly with Show matters and a
good set makes for smoothness on the Show morning,
when all is excitement and tempers are apt to rise
quickly.

In this Chapter a selection of useful regulations has
been arranged in groups for the guidance of Schedule
makers. The composition of the Society, the kind of
Show held, and other matters, all have to be considered,
and it will be a simple task to select, and if necessary
modify, a suitable set from the following.

ENTRIES

1. Intending Exhibitors shall give notice to the
Secretary, in writing, of the Class or Classes in which
they intend to compete, four clear days before the Ex-
hibition, and state the space required. Amateur Mem-
bers may compete in all classes in each section, unless it
be otherwise stated in the schedule.

2. Entries for competition must be made on the
form provided for the purpose, and sent to the Hon.
Secretary six clear days previously to the Show.

3. Exhibitors must lodge with the Secretary, SEVEN
clear days preceding the day of Exhibition, a List with
the numbers of the several Classes in which they intend

18

SHOW REGULATIONS 19

to compete. Entry Forms for such Lists will be sup-
plied on application to the Secretary.

4. Exhibitors must give notice in writing not later
than ... of the Class or Classes in which they
intend to exhibit, and the amount of space required.
This should be done by filling up and forwarding to
the Secretary (insert address) the printed form enclosed in
this Schedule. No Prize Money will be paid for any
exhibit which has not been thus duly entered.

5. Intending Competitors and Exhibitors MUST GIVE
NOTICE by duly filling up the proper FORM, which is
sent with every Schedule, and returning it to the Secre-
tary, not later than the Wednesday before the Show. After
that day no Entry can be made. The Shows are open to
all, whether Members of the Society or not, but the
Council reserves right to refuse any entry, without
giving any reason therefor. No Entry Money is
charged, and free Admission Tickets are not given to
Exhibitors ; but each Exhibitor must, along with his
entry form, deposit 5s., which will be returned if he
stages all the entries made by him, otherwise it will be
forfeited. If any good reason for failing to stage be
intimated in writing to the Secretary, the deposit may
be returned, but this will be in the discretion of the
Council.

6. Entries are accepted upon the distinct understand-
ing that the exhibits remain staged during the whole
time the Exhibition is open.

7. All persons intending to exhibit shall give
notice to the Secretary not later than the SATURDAY
PRECEDING THE SHOW, and shall fill up the en-
closed Entry Form according to the printed instruc-
tions on the same. No other form of entry nvill be accepted.

8. Intending Exhibitors must give notice in
writing, naming the classes they wish to show in,
to the Hon. Secretary on or before (insert date).

20 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

The Committee reserve the right to refuse the entries
of any Member whose subscription has not been received
by (insert date).

9. The Committee reserve to themselves the right
to refuse any entry without assigning their reasons, and
to make any Bye-laws they may deem necessary.

ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRANCE FEES

1. Members subscribing not less than ten shillings
annually shall be entitled to compete in all the Classes
in which they are eligible. Members subscribing five
shillings per annum will be limited to six Classes only,
and one shilling for each additional Class. Non-members
must pay an entrance fee of five shillings, to enable them
to exhibit in any number up to four Classes, and an addi-
tional one shilling per Class for any further number of
entries.

2. Non-members must send their entrance fee with
their form of entry, or their entry will not be accepted.

3. Members of the Society must forward to the
Secretary, with their entries, the amount of their
Annual Subscription and Entrance Fees, if unpaid,
which will entitle them to exhibit in any Classes for
which they may be eligible. Persons not Members of
the Society must become Members in order to exhibit.

4. No Member shall _be allowed to exhibit whose
subscription has not been paid at least one month before
the date of the show.

5. No Member's Entrance Fee will be accepted
until the subscription for the current year has been paid.

6. All exhibits shown for prizes must have been
grown in the British Islands, by the Exhibitor or his
employer, and when an Owner or Exhibitor has two or
more distinctly separate Gardens, each with a separate

Laelia anceps Sanderi

Photo. E. T. Lamb

A SPECIMEN LAELIA
vith$4jlo-wers, exhibited by Lt.-Col. G. Holford, C.I.E., etc

SHOW REGULATIONS 21

staff, they may not combine the produce of any two of
the gardens for the purpose of competing for prizes,
but each separate garden must exhibit as if it belonged
to a different owner.

7. That the Committee shall be at liberty to select
persons to inspect the gardens of intending Exhibitors ;
and all productions entered for competition must be
shown in the growing state, if required. Should any
doubt arise as to the exhibits sent for competition, the
Committee reserve to themselves power to appoint a
Sub-Committee to inspect the garden or place of cul-
tivation of such Exhibitor, and to make such further
inquiries and investigation as may be deemed necessary.

8. All productions entered for competition must, ex-
cept where otherwise specified in the Schedule, have
been the property of and grown by the Exhibitor or his
employer for at least two months before the day of the
Show.

9. No two Exhibitors may show from the same
garden.

FAILURE TO FILL ENTRIES

1. Any person making Entries without exhibiting
the articles entered, shall be fined the sum of 2s. 6d. for
each entry not exhibited, and the Committee to have the
power of refusing any further entries from the defaulter,
unless a satisfactory explanation is sent before 12 noon
on the day prior to the Show.

2. Exhibitors wishing to withdraw from any class or
classes must give notice to the Secretaries, or either of
them, the day previous to the Show, or a fine of Is. will
be incurred.

3. Any one entering for any Class, and finding he
cannot exhibit in it, must give notice in writing the day
before the Exhibition to the Secretary, otherwise he
shall be fined 6d. in each Class entered for and not ex-

22 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

hibited, the same to be deducted from his prize money,
if any awarded.

4. Competitors will be fined is. for each entry they
fail to fill at the Show, unless the entry is withdrawn by
2 o'clock on the day before the Show.

KIND AND VARIETY

I. Throughout the Schedule the words "KINDS" and
"VARIETY" are used in the following sense: — Peaches,
apples, plums, are distinct " kinds of fruit " ; peas,
carrots, beans, are distinct " kinds of vegetables " ; Royal
George, Noblesse, are distinct " varieties " of peaches ;
American Wonder, Duke of Albany, are distinct
"varieties" of peas.

NAMING

1. All exhibits shall be correctly and distinctly named.
Error in naming will not disqualify •, but the Judges will
recognise correctness and distinctness of naming as telling
in favour of an Exhibitor in a close competition.

2. All the Sweet Peas exhibited must be legibly named
on white cards, which will be supplied by the Hon.
Secretary, and the use of any other cards will not be
permitted.

3. All flowers must be legibly named under pain of
disqualification.

CLASS CARDS AND PASSES

I. Class Cards, corresponding to the entries, will be
given to exhibitors on the Show morning, and they will
be responsible for the proper placing of same. Names
of Variety plainly written, to be attached to all exhibits.
Error in naming will not disqualify ; but the Judge will
recognise correctness and distinctness of naming as telling
in favour of an exhibitor in a close competition.

SHOW REGULATIONS 23

2. Class cards, corresponding to the entries, will be
handed to exhibitors on the morning of the Show by the
Hon. Secretary, and they will be responsible for the
proper placing of the cards on their exhibits.

3. Cards, numbered, will be given to each Exhibitor
on the morning of the Show by the Secretary, and must
be placed reversed, on, or in front of, the exhibits when
staged.

4. Cards corresponding with the entries will be
furnished to the competitors on the morning of the
Exhibition.

5. Cards corresponding with the entries can be
obtained in the Hall, before 10 A.M., by each Exhibitor
on the morning of the Show. Each Exhibitor will be
responsible for the proper placing of these cards, and is
requested to satisfy himself that the cards correctly
describe the objects exhibited.

6. Class cards, corresponding to the entries, will be
supplied when the entries are made to the Exhibitor,
and all exhibits must be accompanied by their Class cards,
and they will be responsible for the proper placing of
the same.

7. Each Exhibitor will have one Personal Pass, admit-
ting him at any time. Tickets for necessary attendants only,
and confined to certain hours, will be given out with the
Class cards. Attendants' Tickets will not be given for
Entries of Single Dishes.

8. On the First morning of the Show, Exhibitors will
receive numbers specifying their Classes, and will be held
responsible for the correct placing of these numbers on
each specimen. Exhibits not numbered will be liable to
be passed by the Judges.

STAGING EXHIBITS

I. All Competitors and Exhibitors must have their
exhibits staged by Ten o'clock on the first morning of

24 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

the Show, and all persons (except such as are officially
retained by the Council) must retire at that hour. Any
Exhibitor remaining in the Hall after the Judges have
commenced their duties will subject himself to the
forfeiture of any prize or prizes that may be awarded
him. All Exhibitors should paste their names inside
their stands and boxes, so that they can be identified if
mislaid.

2. Objects entered for competition will be received on
October I4th, up to lo P.M., the day before the Show,
or on the morning of the Exhibition up to 9.30 A.M., at
which hours the doors will be closed.

3. Exhibitors will be allowed to take into the Marquee
only such assistants as are required to aid in the proper
arrangement of their exhibits.

4. The Committee will be in attendance from 7 A.M.
on the Show morning, and will point out to exhibitors
where each exhibit is to be placed. They shall have,
power to refuse or return any entry which they may
deem improperly staged. All exhibits must be in the
tent before 10 A.M. All persons (except such as may be
officially retained) must retire at II a.m., at which hour
the Judges will proceed to award the prizes ; and any
exhibit not staged at that hour will be disqualified.

5. All competitive exhibits must be staged ready for
the Judges by 1 1 o'clock punctually on the morning of
the Exhibition, at which hour all exhibitors must with-
draw.

6. Exhibits will be received the evening before and
on the morning of each Exhibition, but if for competition
must be staged by II A.M. All possible care will be
taken of exhibits during each Exhibition, but any re-
maining after the close of the Show must be at owner's
risk. No flowers shall have their position altered or be
removed from the stands after having been staged,
except with the sanction of the Superintendent.

SHOW REGULATIONS 25

7. All Articles for competition must have the Ex-
hibitor's "Number," with the " Class" they are intended
to compete in, affixed to them before being taken to the
Exhibition Tent, which will be open and the Committee
in attendance thereat from 8 A.M. to lo A.M., after
which time no article can be admitted for competition.
All exhibits to remain until 7 P.M.

8. The place of Exhibition will be open from 6
o'clock on the evening preceding the First day of the
Show to receive exhibits only (open for Groups at
5 P.M.), until 10 A.M. prompt on the First morning of
the Show ; all staging to be complete, and all com-
petitors to be out of the Tents by 10 A.M. All
specimens will be placed at the discretion of the
Committee.

9. All Plants, Flowers, etc., brought to the place of
Exhibition in dirty pots or boxes, or in any 'way that may
appear to the Tent Committee to be discreditable to the
Society, shall at once be removed from the stages.

JUDGES AND JUDGING

1. Any prize may, at the discretion of the Judges,
be withheld or modified if the exhibits are considered
undeserving the prize offered.

2. The decision of the Judges shall be final as to the
relative merit of the exhibits, but the Council reserve to
the Referees and to themselves the decision of any other
points in dispute, particularly in cases of disputed nomen-
clature, when specimens will be withdrawn for further
inspection.

3. The decision of the Judges will be final, except in
cases when, after an award is made, the exhibit is not
found in accordance with the requirements of the
Schedule. All matters of protest, disqualification, etc.,
must be lodged with the Hon. Secretary of the Saltaire

26 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

Society, not later than 3 P.M. on the day of the Exhibi-
tion, when they will be dealt with by an Arbitration
Committee, whose judgment will be decisive.

4. The Judges have the power to withhold or diminish
any Prize, if they consider the exhibits deficient. The
decision of the Judges will be final as to the merits ot
the exhibits, but the Committee reserve to themselves
the decision of any other points in dispute. When the
Judges award prizes of equal merit, Exhibitors are to
understand that the Prize-money in such Classes will be
added together and equally divided.

5. Only bonafide Exhibitors, and such assistants as may
be absolutely required for the arrangement of their
exhibits, will be admitted previous to the Exhibition
being opened to the Public. All persons (except such as
may be officially retained by the Society) must retire at
II a.m., at which hour the Judges will proceed to award
the prizes.

6. No person will be permitted to remain with the
Judges during the adjudication, with the exception of
the Secretary, and Stewards not being Exhibitors in the
Classes for 'which they are acting as Stewards.

7. The Judges will proceed to make their awards at
10.30 A.M., and no Exhibitor on any pretence whatever
shall be allowed in the place of exhibition during the
time the Judges are making their awards. Exhibitors
are kindly requested to assist the Committee in carrying
out this rule.

DISQUALIFICATION AND FORFEITURE

1. An Exhibitor will be disqualified from receiving a
prize if he exhibit more or less than the number named
in the schedule of any article for which a prize is
offered.

2. The Committee reserve to themselves the right of

A SPECIMEN COLEUS
Coleus Cordelia, raised by Air. T. Stevens ->n, and introduced by Messrs. IV. Cutbush &• Son, Highgatc

SHOW REGULATIONS 27

paying surprise visits to any Exhibitor's garden to
inspect the specimens while growing previous to the
show. An Exhibitor who exhibits any article as grown
by himself which is not so grown, will be disqualified
from this and all future competitions. This rule will
be enforced.

3. That all Exhibitors may be required by the Com-
mittee to declare in writing that all articles exhibited by
them are their own growth, and that they have been their
own bond fide property, and in their own house, garden, or
field for at least six weeks prior to the day of Exhibition,
and if any Exhibitor refuse to comply with this requisi-
tion, or be detected exhibiting any production obtained
from another person as if it were his own, or if he should
in any other manner impose upon the Society, he shall
not be entitled to any prize that may be awarded to him,
and shall not be allowed to compete at any future meet-
ing except with the consent of the Committee.

4. Any Exhibitor obtaining a prize fraudulently will
forfeit the whole of the Prize Money he may otherwise
be entitled to, and will be prohibited from exhibiting in
future. Should any doubt arise as to the exhibits sent
for competition, the Committee reserve to themselves
power to appoint a Sub-Committee to inspect the garden
or place of cultivation of such Exhibitor, and to make
such further inquiries and investigations as may be
deemed necessary.

5. If a particular number of Plants, Flowers, Fruits,
or Vegetables is specified for a Class, dish, or collection,
any excess or deficiency in the number disqualifies an
Exhibitor, neither the Judges nor any other person
having power to correct the mistake of an Exhibitor, who
must abide by the consequences of his own want of
exactness. The Judges, though forced to disqualify,
may recommend the Committee to grant an extra prize,
if the exhibit is sufficiently meritorious.

28 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

6. All Exhibits dishonestly dressed, or to which any
addition has been made, will be disqualified.

7. Any person breaking or endeavouring to evade any
of these rules will forfeit any prizes awarded, also
entrance fees, and be liable to be prohibited from show-
ing at any Exhibition of this Society for the next three
years.

8. Any Cottager breaking or endeavouring to evade
any of these Rules will forfeit any prize awarded, and be
prevented from showing at any other Exhibition of the
Society.

PROTESTS AND DISPUTES

1. Any Member or Exhibitor wishing to protest to
the Committee concerning any infringement of the
above Regulations, Bye-laws, or Schedule, or concern-
ing any award, must make a formal protest in writing,
together with a deposit of 2s. 6d., to the Secretaries, or
either of them, before 8 P.M. on the day of the Exhibi-
tion (which deposit will be refunded if the protest is
sustained), after which no objection can be entertained
except by consent of the Committee.

2. With the exception of an objection based upon
alleged fraud, every protest must be lodged before
5 p.m. on the first day of the Show. Such protest or
other objection must be made in writing and handed in at
the Secretary's Tent, on the Show Ground. The objector
must deposit the sum of los. in the Secretary's hand,
which will be returned if the objection is sustained.

3. All disputes will be decided by the Committee on
the First day of the Show. Any person wishing to
make an objection must do so to the Secretary before
8 P.M. on the First day of the Show (with the exception
of an objection based upon alleged fraud), and must
deposit is., which will be returned if the objection is
sustained.

SHOW REGULATIONS 29

4. If any dispute shall arise touching any matter
connected with the above Regulations, Bye-laws, or
Schedule, such dispute shall be decided by the Com-
mittee, whose decision shall be final and binding.

REMOVAL OF EXHIBITS

1. No article shall be removed until the close of the
Exhibition at 7 P.M. on the Second Day ; at that hour
the Tents will be cleared, and the Police will have
strict instructions to allow no one to re-enter without
a Clearance Pass. Exhibitors will not be allowed to
touch or remove anything previous to the time of closing
the Tents. This regulation is made specially to protect the
exhibits.

2. All specimens exhibited must remain untouched
until 8 P.M. on the Saturday (unless otherwise arranged
with the Secretary), when they may be removed by the
Exhibitors who shall be there to claim them ; and the
Committee shall not be held responsible for losses
arising from any cause, but will use all reasonable care
while the exhibits are in their charge. Helpers' tickets
will be given out at 6 P.M. on the Saturday.

3. No Plants, Flowers, Fruits, or Vegetables shall be
taken off the tables or stands before the close of the
Exhibition, after which hour permission may be given
for the removal of specimens.

4. Any person touching, or otherwise interfering
with the Plants, Flowers, Fruits, or Vegetables after
they have been staged, without permission from the
Tent Committee, shall be instantly removed from the
place of Exhibition.

NON-R ESPONSIBILITY

I. The Committee do not hold themselves responsible
for any damage done to Plants or Flowers during the

30 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

Exhibition, such Plants or Flowers being exhibited
entirely at the Exhibitor's own risk.

2. The Council will not be responsible for damage or
loss during or after the Exhibition, but all ordinary care
will be taken. Parcels arriving unpaid for will not be
taken in. At packing-up time Exhibitors must them-
selves see to the security of their exhibits, as it is
impossible for the Officers of the Society to be in all
parts of the Hall at one and the same time.

3. The Committee will not be responsible for any
loss or damage done to plants, etc., but all possible care
will be taken of them.

PRIZE MONEY

1. Distribution of Prizes. — That the prizes be dis-
tributed not later than fourteen days after the holding
of the Show, and that in the event of the Funds of the
Society for any one year being insufficient to meet the
necessary expenses of the Society and Prizes awarded,
the Committee have power to make a proportionate
reduction from the Prize Money awarded to Exhibitors,
so as to bring the Awards and Expenses within the
Funds of the Society.

2. The Money Prizes, Medals, or other awards won
by Exhibitors at any of the Exhibitions shall be delivered
to the winners thereof at the earliest possible date ; but
the Prize Money awarded at the Shows will only be
paid if the available funds of the Society are sufficient
for the purpose. Should there be a deficiency from any
unforeseen cause, then a pro raid distribution will be
made at the discretion of the Committee.

3. Exhibitors may not take more than one prize in
one Class. Providing the subscriptions and receipts
fall short of the anticipated amount, the prize money
will be reduced proportionately.

CHAPTER IV
CUT FLOWERS

ANEMONES

THE great beauty and increasing popularity of St Brigid
Anemones has led to the formation of classes for these
flowers at Spring Flower Shows. In moist, mild
districts, Anemones do well and are gloriously beauti-
ful, but, alas ! in dry, hot districts they are utterly
disappointing. They should be shown in vases, mixed,
or in distinct colours, according to the Schedule reading.

Merits. — Large size ; good shape ; broad petals ;
freshness •, pure and vivid colouring, or delicate and
harmonious shading ; long stems.

Faults. — Irregular or indistinct colouring ; weak and
short stems.

Hints. — Cut the flowers before they open and place
them in water in a cool place ; Anemone foliage is the
proper accompaniment to Anemone flowers.

ANNUALS

Classes are provided at some Flower Shows for
Annuals, and when this is so the competitor must be
careful to observe the wording of the Schedule.
Sometimes " Hardy Annuals " are required ; at other
times or in other classes " Half-hardy Annuals " are
invited; and occasionally the wording is "Hardy and
Half-hardy Annuals," or " Tender Annuals." Annuals
and Biennials may sometimes be shown in the same

31

32 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

Class. In every case the Schedule must be strictly
adhered to or disqualification will result.

Hardy and Half-hardy Annuals deserve far more
encouragement than they usually receive at the hands
of Flower Show Committees. Six or twelve bunches,
or vases of Annuals in as many distinct kinds, form a
good Class ; the vases should all be of the same size
and arranged on a given space, say 2 ft. by 3 ft. for the
smaller number and 4 ft. by 3 ft. for twelve kinds.

Merits. — Large flowers ; freely flowered sprays ;
freshness ; elegant arrangement ; pleasing association
of colours ; long stems ; bright or clear colouring ;
fragrance in kinds where fragrance is expected — i.e. in
Sweet Peas, Mignonette, etc.

Faults. — Crowding ; faded flowers ; lack of substance
and colour; the use of dull subjects resulting in an
ineffective group.

Hints. — Early thinning and thorough cultivation are
absolutely essential to the best results ; choose popular
kinds as far as possible ; though varieties may be mixed
in each bunch (if not ruled out of order by the Schedule),
bold bunches of one colour are the most effective ; if the
Class is for six or more varieties of Annuals, six vases
of Sweet Peas, or of Godetias, or of Mignonette could
be shown without disqualification, but quality being
equal, the competitor showing six kinds would even
then score against the varieties, on much the same principle
that the best goal average will give a team the first place
in a Football League, although another team may have
won as many points.

ANTIRRHINUMS

The Snapdragons are strong favourites at a large
number of local and cottage-garden exhibitions.
Formerly named varieties were cultivated for exhibition
and raised from cuttings in the autumn of each year.

CUT FLOWERS 33

Now, however, there are so many splendid strains in
commerce that seedlings are more commonly used.

Merits. — Large, shapely spike ; large number of
perfect and expanded flowers ; size of individual
blooms j purity of selfs ; rich colours, and regular
markings in the fancy forms ; broad full lip.

Faults. — Few expanded flowers ; dingy colouring ;
flowers far apart; tip of spike showing evidences of
distress owing to lack of moisture ; narrow tube and lip.

Hints — Suppress lateral spikes ; give shade from sun
and shelter from rain as necessary ; cut the spikes early
in the morning, and stand them in water at once ; spikes
that would otherwise be past their best should be cut,
and placed in a dark, cool cellar.

ASTERS

In many flower-shows it is still the custom to exhibit
Aster blooms on boards, and often with frilled paper
collars. This method is now giving place to the display
of less formal varieties in vases. Asters are among the
most useful and beautiful of Half-hardy Annuals, and
they should be further encouraged. The principal
classes of Asters are — Chrysanthemum-flowered, Comet
and Plumed varieties, Pseony-flowered, and Quilled. The
first- and last-named groups consist of rather formal
flowers.

Merits. — Good size, rounded outline, regularity and
smoothness of petals, depth, and purity or brilliance of
colouring in the Chrysanthemum - flowered section.
Quilled flowers should show great depth, and the florets
must be regularly arranged and of equal length in
their respective rows. Large size, grace, and pure
colouring in Comet and Plumed varieties. Well-defined
line of demarcation between central and circumferential
colouring in the Paeony-flowered varieties.
c

34 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

Faults. — Coarseness ; faded lower florets ; hollow
centres ; thin, flimsy flowers.

Hints. — Soot dressings are desirable as they deepen
the colour of the leafage, intensifying the floral colouring,
and keep pests at bay. Never cut asters in full sunshine.
Strip the lower leaves from long-stemmed flowers.

CAMELLIAS

As exhibition flowers Camellias now rarely receive
any consideration at the hands of Schedule-framers,
though the flowers and plants are again coming into
favour for general purposes.

Size, breadth, and smoothness of petal, substance,
purity, or brilliance of colouring, and regular arrange-
ment of the petals, were the chief points of merit in
years gone by when Camellias occupied a high place
among exhibition florists' flowers.

CARNATIONS

One of the first flowers to receive attention at the
hands of florists was the Carnation, and with this, as
with any other flower that forms the attraction for a set
of growers or fanciers, exhibiting became essential at an
early stage. How far back one would have to go in
Floricultural history to find evidence of the first Carna-
tion Show I do not know, but well over a hundred years
ago, as shown by a coloured plate in the Botanical
Magazine of 1788, there were Show Carnations as fine
in their size and markings as any seen in the present
year of grace.

" Dressed " Carnations are exhibited on boards or
stands, and each flower has a paper collar or " card "
under it. "Undressed" flowers are shown usually in
vases, and in some Classes a little Carnation foliage must
be associated with the blooms. Unfortunately, judges

CUT FLOWERS 35

have been far too lenient with exhibitors in Classes for
"undressed" flowers, so much so, indeed, that the
section was made ridiculous at more than one Exhibition.
At the Midland Carnation Show of 1904 there was
hardly a flower staged in the Classes for "undressed"
blooms but what had been more or less dressed. The
dressing of many flowers was so patent that disqualifica-
tion would have been the proper course for the Judges
to take. If a Society wishes to discourage the display
of "undressed" flowers, then it should not provide
Classes for them, but, having provided Classes, it should
see that the conditions are fulfilled as faithfully as in the
case of " dressed " flowers.

Vases of Carnations, containing from six to twenty-
four flowers of one or more varieties, make a fine
feature at a Flower Show, especially if the competition
is keen.

Exhibitors cannot be too careful in complying with the
regulations for Carnations. There are several sections,
all distinct from each other, and defined according to
their colour arrangement. They are as follows : —

Bizarres. — These have a white ground, with stripes or
flakes of two or more colours. According to the pre-
dominating colour the Bizarres are sub-divided into
Scarlet Bizarres, Crimson Bizarres, and Pink and Purple
Bizarres.

Flakes. — In these the ground colour is clear white, and
on this are flakes of one colour only. The sub-divisions
are Purple Flakes, Scarlet Flakes, and Rose Flakes.

Selfs. — These are obviously flowers of one colour only.
They are classified as White or Blush Selfs, Rose or
Pink Selfs, Scarlet, Red, or Crimson Selfs, Marone or
Purple Selfs, Yellow Selfs, and Buff Selfs.

Fancies. — In this section are some of the most gorgeous
and beautiful of Carnations. The flowers have fanciful
colouring, or quaint combinations of colours, the markings

36 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

being in no sense regular. Considerable progress has
been made in recent years with Fancy Carnations, and the
flowers are classified as Yellow Grounds, and Other
than Yellow Grounds.

(See also PICOTEES, p. 50.)

Merits. — Purity of the ground colour ; broad, smooth-
edged, flat petals ; petals overlapping each other with
the utmost regularity ; petals of similar size in each
ring or row ; firm texture, freshness, purity, and
brilliance of colour in the Selfs ; an unsplit calyx.

Faults. — Irregularity ; rough or fringed margin ; burst
calyx; indistinct or badly defined colour margin in
picotees ; small, misshapen petals ; weather marks, or
marks caused by thrips or other insect pests.

Hints. — The most successful carnation and picotee ex-
hibitors grow their plants under grass, in cool houses,
where the flowers can be protected from untoward climatic
conditions. When grown out of doors Carnations should
be planted in narrow beds, with a light framework of
wood placed over them. Tiffany or canvas stretched
over the framework protects the flowers from rain and
sun.

" Dressing " has reached a fine art among carnation
growers. It consists in so manipulating a flower that
it appears larger than when cut, and has its petals
arranged with the utmost regularity. The stem of the
flower is first passed through the central hole of a
circular card, and the latter is pushed up over the calyx.
The tips of the calyx divisions are then reflexed with
the assistance of a pair of tweezers, and the card is
brought back a little so as to rest on these turned-back
tips. Turning the flower upward, and holding it in the
left hand, the operator proceeds to lay out the outer row
of petals to make them cover as large a circle as possible.
Misshapen petals, or those in which the bizarre or flake
markings have " run," or any that are marked when they

CUT FLOWERS 37

should be clear, are removed. Sometimes the petals are
too numerous for regular arrangement, and then
superfluous ones are removed. Having arranged the
outer row, the next row or ring of petals is similarly
dealt with, the aim being to make it as regular as the first.
The centre of a fine flower should consist of three broad
petals. Ivory tweezers are used in the manipulation of
the flowers, but when they are used too freely or too
roughly the flower suffers both in appearance and in
duration.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS

As almost every successful exhibitor of Chrysanthe-
mums has written a book detailing his practice as a
cultivator and competitor, the necessity for dwelling at
any great length on the latter part of the subject does not
exist. However, Chrysanthemums cannot be omitted.
Their beauty and usefulness need no further eulogy
from me, but the future of Chrysanthemums for Flower
Show purposes lies, I believe, in a better appreciation of
the grace and elegance of the flowers and in the provi-
sion of classes which will bring into greater prominence
their great and varied decorative value.

Competitors should pay careful attention to the defini-
tions of the various types or groups of Chrysanthemums.
The principal types used for exhibition purposes are : —

INCURVED. — Rounded flowers with florets that incurve
toward the centre ; the florets may be pointed or
rounded.

JAPANESE. — Large, elegant flowers with long, narrow,
drooping florets that may be regular or irregular.

INCURVED JAPANESE. — Japanese flowers with loosely
incurving florets ; intermediate between true Japanese
and true incurved ; they are frequently described as
Japanese Incurved, but this is a misnomer as the flowers

38 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

are admitted to competition as Japanese but not as
Incurved.

REFLEXED JAPANESE. — A title often used as descrip-
tive of those Japanese varieties that have comparatively
short reflexing florets, but which are too large and
irregular to be classed as true Reflexed.

REFLEXED. — Flowers of medium size and neat form,
with rather stiff reflexing florets.

POMPONS. — Varieties having small, more or less
globular flowers, with neat, short, and regular florets.

POMPON ANEMONES. — Small flowered varieties with
high centre and regular guard florets.

JAPANESE ANEMONES. — Varieties with large cushion-
like centre and long guard florets.

LARGE ANEMONES. — Varieties with high regular
centre, and regular guard florets.

SINGLES. — These must have not more than two rows
of ray florets, and they are subdivided into Large Singles
and Small Singles.

To the uninitiated the language of the Chrysanthe-
mum grower is hopelessly unintelligible. "Stopping,"
"Timing," "First Break," "Second Break," "First
Crown," " Second Crown," " Terminal Bud," and " Tak-
ing the Bud," are all phrases ever on the lips of the keen
competitor. " Stopping " is the removal of the growing
point to induce the formation of several growths or
"breaks." The " First Break " is the plant's effort to
produce more than one stem. The "Second Break"
denotes growth made around the first Crown bud. A
"Crown Bud" is a flower bud that has growths directly
below it, and if either the "First Crown" or "Second
Crown" is to produce the flower then the growths
under it must be suppressed. The Second Crown bud
is of the same character as the First Crown bud, but
formed on the growth allowed to extend when the
" First Crown " flower bud was removed. A " Terminal

A NOVEL EXHIBIT OF ASTERS AND EARLY FLOWERING CHRYSANTHEMUMS
One of Messrs, yas. Carter &• Co.'s exhibits at the Franco-British Exhibition, igoS

A CHILDREN S FLOWER SHOW

Part of the Spring Flo-wer Sho-w at Sheffield, -where all the competitors are school childrei

CUT FLOWERS 39

Bud " is the flower bud that forms at the end or termina-
tion of the season's growth ; it is surrounded by other
smaller flower buds, and yet other flower buds are formed
in the axils of the leaves on the stem below. If the
" Terminal Bud" is to be retained or "Taken," all the
flower buds around and below it are removed. " Taking
the Bud" means, as already indicated, the retention of
that particular type of bud — Crown or Terminal, for
flowering ; the phrase is a paradoxical one. " Timing "
means securing the flower bud that will flower most
nearly the time of exhibition. August is the month in
which buds are " Taken " ; the best date differs with the
variety, and an up-to-date catalogue of Chrysanthemums
will prove the best indicator of the best time. If buds
appear a little too early they can be retarded by allow-
ing one of the surrounding growths to remain for a
week or so.

Merits. — Full size, bright colour or purity, freshness,
substance, and depth, in the individual blooms. Uni-
formity of quality in a stand of blooms; harmony of
colour. Healthy foliage, where long-stemmed flowers
are used. Smoothness of florets and regularity of form
in Incurved varieties. Elegance in Japanese varieties.
Regularity in Pompon and Reflexed varieties. Freedom
and grace in Single varieties, shown in sprays. Freedom
and effectiveness in Decorative varieties. Well de-
veloped, cushion-like centre in Anemone varieties, with
fullest development of the ray florets in Japanese Anemone
varieties.

Faults. — Shallow blooms ; dull or unnatural colour-
ing ; hollow centre ; undeveloped centre ; faded lower
florets ; bad staging in regard to colour harmony and
size; a too flat arrangement on the one hand, and ex-
cessive raising on the other.

Hints. — The smallest flowers should be staged in the
front row and the largest in the back row, and the largest

40 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

blooms in each row should, if association of colours
permit, be at the ends. Raise the front row flowers
high enough to secure them the full value of their depth
in the eyes of a judge. Raise the other rows propor-
tionately, remembering the while that excessive raising
detracts from the general effect of a stand. INCURVED.
— Remove injured, malformed, and central disk florets as
soon as they can be seen and extracted, but leave the
final dressing for the day previous to the show ; make the
flower-stem firm in the "cup," but do not pull it down
too tightly or the bloom will be reduced in size ; arrange
the florets as regularly as possible, commencing with the
central ones and remembering that the depth of the
flower counts high. JAPANESE. — Remove injured and
disk florets, then invert the flower and give it a gentle
shaking ; tight cupping is an error. ANEMONES. — Pull
out misplaced and irregular ray florets, and if there are
any ray-like florets in the disk remove these also ; the
centre should be even and cushion-like, and the guard-
florets placed regularly around it. SINGLES. — More
than two rows of florets will disqualify (this is
not being adhered to strictly nowadays, because three
rows of florets make a flower of greater substance
and one that lasts better), but severe dressing is
almost as bad from the judges' point of view ,
grow only the truest singles -, pull out any long florets
there may be in the disk, and arrange the ray-florets
regularly. POMPONS. — Cups are not needed ; if the
flowers do not stand erect place a stiff wire to each
one, forming a loop at the top of the wire so that it
may be fitted close up to the flower ; remove any
florets that spoil the even outline of the flower ; if
shown on boards, place the stems in the flower-tubes
and make them firm with a plug of moss ; " Terminal "
buds give flowers of finer form and colour than " Crown
buds."

CUT FLOWERS 41

DAFFODILS

As a distinctive feature of Spring Flower Shows
Daffodils now occupy a prominent position, and they are
yearly growing in favour as exhibition flowers. Not
many years ago Daffodils were rarely encouraged at
Flower Shows, but now there are Societies devoted to
these lovely and useful spring flowers, while they are
the chief attraction at a score of Flower Shows from
Truro to Edinburgh.

Fortunately the Daffodils have come to be regarded
as exhibition flowers at a time when grace and beauty
are more highly regarded than mere form regulated by
artificial and yet cast-iron rules. Fancy the beautiful new
varieties derived from Narcissus poeticus laid out on a board
like carnations ; or the big bold Trumpet Daffodils
like " King Alfred," or the charming " Johnstonei
Queen of Spain," pulled stiffly into position in cup and
tube like a rose or a chrysanthemum ! These things are
too awful to contemplate. Daffodils are exhibited in
vases, and though in some few cases too many flowers
are required to meet the scheduled conditions, the Classes
are usually of a very reasonable character. Three or six
flowers of a variety are generally required. It is not an
easy matter to arrange more than six blooms artistically
in a vase, because a larger number, all faced one way,
present a dense and formal " face," or else several flowers
face the wrong way about, and so are useless in regard to
effect, while they detract from the grace of the exhibit.

Daffodils are broadly grouped into three divisions.
The first of these is the one that includes all " AJAX,"
or ''TRUMPET" Daffodils, and known as the Magni-
coronati group. Then comes the MEDIUM-CROWNED or
Medio-coronati group, and the bold " Sir Watkin " may be
taken as a good representative, just as "Emperor" serves
as a type of the Trumpet Daffodils. The third division

42 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

contains varieties with SMALL CROWNS, such as the
Poet's Narcissus, and it is known as the Parvi-coronati
section.

Hybridisation and repeated cross fertilisation have
broken down the dividing lines of these three groups
during recent years and made it no easy task for
competitors on the one hand and judges on the other
to decide where one group ends and another begins.
A strong combination, like the Midland Daffodil Society,
might have decided into which of the three groups any
doubtful varieties should be placed for exhibition
purposes. This would be an arbitrary method of deal-
ing with the matter, but something of the kind must be
done if distinctions based on the relative size of crown
and perianth are to be observed. The Royal Horticul-
tural Society, through its Daffodil Committee, is now
dealing with the subject and a New Classification is to
be issued soon.

Merits. — Size ; purity or brilliance of colouring ;
perfectly developed trumpet or crown and perianth ;
absence of rain stains, of sun-burn or bleaching ; fresh-
ness ; substance ; stiff, stout stems ; arrangement of the
flowers to set each bloom off to the fullest advantage.

Faults. — Malformation ; lack of size, Colour, and sub-
stance ; bleached tips or margin caused by bright sun-
shine and cold winds ; short stems ; inharmonious
arrangement of colours in a collection.

Hints. — In a collection of distinct varieties separate
the most brilliant as far as possible, and place them in
close contrast with white, bicolour, or pale yellow
varieties. Red and orange cupped varieties are par-
ticularly effective and should be made full use of.
If the flowers are cut when the bud shows colour they
will open well in water and can be hastened in a warm
greenhouse or delayed in a cool dark room. It is not
difficult to keep a flower for a fortnight if cut in the

CUT FLOWERS 43

bud state and opened slowly, and flowers so treated are
hardly less beautiful than those that open out of doors
and are cut just at their best. Flowers opened under
cover are sure to be clean and bright. Grow some of
the commoner varieties for a supply of foliage, but
always associate bold foliage with bold flowers ; poeticus
foliage will not be suitable for "Emperor" flowers.
The flowers of a variety in any one vase should be
of the same high standard of excellence ; one poor
flower sadly depreciates two or five good ones. A little
moss, or cupressus foliage placed in the vase will very
much assist in keeping the flowers in position, but
whatever is used for this purpose must not show above
the rim of the vase.

DAHLIAS

In the early autumn, Dahlias are very useful for
garden adornment, and their value in this direction is
becoming better appreciated than it was formerly.
Dahlias have lent themselves freely to the art of the
florists, and for long years the Show Dahlia has com-
peted with the Incurved Chrysanthemum for premier
place as the finest example of floricultural evolution.

The SHOW and FANCY Dahlias are invariably ex-
hibited on boards, but as in the case of chrysanthemums
there seems no good reason why they should not be
also set up in vases. The largest blooms would be too
heavy unless severely wired up, but somewhat smaller
blooms look well in vases.

CACTUS Dahlias are usually shown in vases or tubes,
and mostly wired so as to make all the blooms in a
bunch face one way. Wire frames of triangular design,
with rings to hold one flower each, are also used, and in
these the flowers are, so to speak, crucified. The
dawn of better times is with us, and the display of

44 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

Cactus Dahlias in vases (the number of blooms being
specified) is becoming increasingly popular. The
development of a class of GARDEN CACTUS Dahlias,
with free habit and long-stemmed flowers, is also
helping in the right direction.

SINGLE Dahlias are not so popular as they once were.
They are beautiful subjects for the home or the Flower
Show, but they do not last long when cut. These are
not shown on boards, but either in tubes or vases, and
in the former case they are fixed to triangular wire
frames.

POMPON Dahlias are charming miniatures of Show
Dahlias, and as they are of considerable decorative value
they should be more encouraged at Exhibitions. They
should be shown in vases, though the orthodox method
is to " rig " them up in the triangular wire frames, in
bunches of three, six, or ten blooms.

The COLLARETTE Dahlias, which are single or semi-
double varieties in which the disk florets are abnormally
developed, correspond somewhat to Anemone-flowered
Chrysanthemums. So far as I am aware, no Society
provides classes for these varieties, but a class for a
dozen blooms in a vase would provide a distinct and
novel feature.

POMPON CACTUS Dahlias are miniature Cactus
varieties — one might speak of them as Button-hole
Dahlias. They do not form a big class, but I feel
sure they will be more numerous in the near future
because they are charming for floral decorations,
including personal adornment. The National Dahlia
Society provides a class or classes for Pompon Cactus
Dahlias.

P^ONY-FLOWERED Dahlias form the newest group.
The original varieties were raised in Holland, but several
have been raised in England latterly. For garden decora-
tion they are very effective, but so far they have not been

CUT FLOWERS 45

enthusiastically taken up for exhibition purposes. They
are large and often very irregular flowers, with several
rows of broad, flat florets around a fairly large eye or
centre. Old florists, sticklers for good form, scornfully
condemn these new-comers. They may serve in vases
or bamboo stands, but few competitive Classes have been
provided for them.

Merits. — Good size, rounded form, regularity of
florets, full centre, and freshness, in Show and Fancy
varieties, with the colours of the latter highly developed
all over the bloom. Freshness and clear colouring in
Cactus varieties ; florets all of the same character, i.e.
pointed and radiating, or clawed and incurving according
to the variety. Broad and even florets, rounded outline,
well defined disk, and regularity of colouring in Single
varieties. Neatness, the utmost regularity, and lack of
coarseness in Pompon varieties.

Faults. — Faded and decaying lower florets, and also
undeveloped central florets in Show, Fancy, and Pompon
varieties. Disk florets in all the latter and in Cactus
varieties. Flat florets, instead of more or less quilled
and pointed ones in Cactus varieties. Coarseness
in all sections. Lack of brilliance or purity in the
colouring.

Hints. — Shade or shelter the flowers from hot sun-
shine or rain storms, by means of conical canvas caps,
improvised boxes, etc., firmly affixed to stout stakes.
Let large Show, Fancy, and Cactus blooms hang head
downward for a day or so before the Show, to develop
the central florets. Remove misshapen florets sufficiently
early to allow the perfect ones to close up. Cut Single
varieties before they reach their fullest development,
otherwise they will carry badly and cause much dis-
appointment. Cut and pack the flowers when dry,
but put them in water directly the Exhibition *is
reached.

46 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

DELPHINIUMS

Although the grace, stateliness, and beauty of
Delphiniums are appreciated only when the plants flower
freely in large groups, the display of spikes at Flower
Shows serves to increase the interest in a useful family
and indicate the best varieties. Tall vases are the best
receptacles, and classes for six or nine distinct varieties
are sufficiently large. Six varieties, three spikes of each,
would form a fine class in some districts.

Merits. — Large spike, branched at the base; large
flowers, evenly disposed so as to form a well-furnished
and pleasing spike ; large numbers of expanded flowers
on a spike j flowers that are well expanded and do not
droop.

Faults. — Weak, thin spike ; absence of branches ; few
expanded flowers ; weak colouring.

Hints. — Show varieties as distinct from each other in
colour shading as possible ; tie each spike to a long
slender cane or stick for travelling, and place the cut
end in a vase or tube of water, wedging it in firmly ;
carry in an upright position.

GLADIOLI

These stately flowers are most effective at late
summer and autumn shows, and when well staged they
are certain to be much admired. The early-flowering
varieties of the COLVILLEI group are rarely staged alone,
but in large bunches they enhance the value of a
collection of herbaceous flowers. The GANDAVENSIS
varieties are the most popular for exhibition, but
LEMOINEI and NANCEANUS varieties are generally
admissible, as the Schedules rarely stipulate for any
particular section.

They are frequently exhibited in the boxes or stands

CUT FLOWERS 47

used for roses, the base of the spike wedged firmly into
the water tube.

Merits. — Large, shapely flowers ; well proportioned
spike ; large number of fresh and expanded flowers on a
spike ; substance ; length of spike ; flowers set closely
together.

Faults. — Flimy flowers ; few expanded flowers ;
irregular spike ; widely separated flowers ; weather
marks ; incurving segments.

Hints. — Shade the lower flowers as they expand, to
preserve them ; if allowed, cut out several inches of the
upper portion of the spike to encourage the basal
flowers ; tie the spike to a thin green stick, so that it is
held rigidly erect ; the stick must be at the back of the
spike and the ties should be of green twine or thin
raffia strands. To obtain as many open flowers as
possible is the chief aim of the competitor, after he has
selected his varieties and done all that is possible
culturally. A common method of securing this end is
to affix an oblong light wooden box, with a glass front,
to a stout stake, and insert the latter in such a position
that the box completely covers the spike under treat-
ment ; by whitening the lower part of the glass, or
colouring it green, the expanded flowers are shaded,
while the buds are inclined to open by the action of
sunlight on them through the glass.

HARDY FLOWERS

Collections of Hardy Flowers are now a feature at
Flower Shows, but in the matter of their arrangement
there is generally room for improvement. The Classes
should be for a specified number of bunches or vases,
distinct kinds, and each competitor should have the same
amount of space and the same kind of staging. When
a large number of bunches are asked for it is as well to

48 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

temper the seventy of the competition by requiring, say,
twenty-four bunches distinct, not more than two
varieties of any one kind. If Annuals and Biennials are
not to be admitted, the wording of the Schedule should
be very explicit on the matter, i.e. " Annuals and
Biennials excluded." Vases should be supplied or their
size defined.

Merits — Large, fresh flowers and spikes ; graceful
arrangement ; large, but not crowded, bunches ; the use
of widely varied types of flower and inflorescence.

Faults. — Crowding, and its opposite ; seedpods on the
spikes or sprays ; similarity of types in the collection ;
inferior varieties.

Hints. — Never use wires or sticks to support the
flowers or spikes — depend on high cultivation and
freshness ; place light subjects where they will show up
the brilliance and relieve the heaviness of larger and
bolder ones ; magenta, harsh blue, and dull purple
flowers are not easy to arrange with other colours, and
should be used sparingly ; white and bright yellow
flowers are very effective and should be placed at the
corners of the group; a large handful of sand in the
bottom of the vase will often prevent overturning when
wind finds an entrance to the Show tent.

HOLLYHOCKS

Though rather formal in appearance the Hollyhocks
are stately plants, and as they lend themselves to high
cultivation it is not difficult to understand how great
was the interest taken in them by the old florists.
Rarely are Hollyhocks invited by Schedule framers,
nowadays, and one reason is that the dread Holly-
hock disease almost always upsets calculations when the
finest varieties are intensely cultivated. Holyhocks are
exhibited on boards, after the fashion of carnations, or

CUT FLOWERS 49

as spikes, as in the case of gladioli. The upper part of
the spike, with its unexpanded flowers, is usually
removed before the exhibit is made up.

Merits: — Large blooms ; high centre ; flat guard
petals ; freshness ; clear colouring ; great length of spike
with expanded flowers ; flowers regularly placed, close
together, but not crowded.

Faults. — Flatness ; irregular and crumpled guard
petals ; faded colouring ; bleached margins ; short
spike •, small and badly placed flowers on the spike.

Hints. — Give shelter from wind, sun, and rain ; stake
the spike firmly ; set three or four stakes around
the spike and bind a strip of canvas round these to form
a shelter and give shade to the expanded flowers ; use a
conical cap for the purpose of throwing off rain.

PANSIES

In the North of England and in Scotland the cultiva-
tion of Pansies for exhibition is still carried on briskly,
but in the drier atmosphere of the South there are so
many difficulties to contend with that flowers of the
finest quality are rarely seen, and therefore classes for
Show and Fancy Pansies are rarely provided at Southern
Shows. One has to visit the Scottish Exhibitions to see
the best Pansies. The flowers are shown on metal or
wooden stands, painted green ; sometimes the use of
paper collars, as in the case of carnations, is permitted,
but the flowers look better against the green stand than
on white paper. Another method, and one that the trade
Exhibitors follow, is the display of six flowers of one
variety in the form of a triangular spray, with sprigs of
Pansy growth to set ofT the flowers. Six or twelve such
sprays make up an effective exhibit, and classes for them
might be increased with advantage.

Merits. — Circular outline ; good size ; substance ;

50 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

overlapping petals ; well-defined eye ; purity and depth
of ground colour ; regularity of colour markings ; con-
trasting colours in Fancy varieties ; clear, even colouring
in Selfs.

Faults. — Faded margins ; small and flimsy flowers ;
poor colouring ; irregular outline ; irregular or badly
defined eye.

Hints. — By means of mulching, syringing, and the use
of insecticides, keep the flowers free from disfiguration
by rain splashes, red spider, and green fly ; shade and
protect the opening flowers with pieces of cardboard
fixed to stakes, or extend very thin canvas over the beds
during hot sunshine ; thin out the growths, and stake
those retained ; remove unnecessary flower-buds ; about
three weeks elapses from the appearance of the bud to
the full expansion of the flower ; handle Pansy flowers
carefully ; if pulled down too tightly on to the stands,
the flowers appear to lack substance ; the best specimens
have slightly reflexed margins, and if the latter just
touch the stand the flower looks full and substantial.

PICOTEES

The remarks made under " Carnations " apply mostly
to Picotees also. There are YELLOW-GROUND and
WHITE-GROUND Picotees, and in each group there are
heavy-edged and light-edged varieties. The depth,
richness, and definition of the heavy edge and the fine-
ness of the light edge are points of merit. The
White-ground varieties are grouped as follows : Red,
Heavy-edged; Red, Light-edged; Purple, Heavy-
edged ; Purple, Light-edged ; Rose or Scarlet, Heavy-
edged ; Rose QT, Scarlet, Light-edged.

YELLOW-GROUND Picotees are now judged by the same
standard as are WHITE-GROUND varieties, consequently
the inclusion of Yellow-ground " Fancies " — i.e. those in

CUT FLOWERS 51

which the ground colour is splashed, striped, and shaded
with one or more other colours — will disqualify.

PYRETHRUMS

Both the single and double varieties of Pyrethrums
Pyrethrum roseuni) are beautiful and useful hardy garden
flowers, suitable alike for outdoor and indoor decoration.
They are not very popular for exhibition at present,
except as units in a collection of hardy herbaceous
flowers, but there is no good reason why they should
not be encouraged. Shown on flat boards as are
Carnations, the Pyrethrums would be beneath contempt ;
it were better they were never exhibited. But shown
in vases, from three to twelve blooms of a variety
and from three to twelve distinct varieties, they would
look well. Classes could be arranged to suit the several
classes of competitors.

There are double and single varieties, the latter being
the most beautiful and the former the most lasting.

Merits. — Large, circular, full and even double flowers,
with a regular row of outer or guard florets ; regular,
single flowers, with clear, even disk ; purity and bright-
ness of colour ; freshness ; stems sufficiently stout to
carry the flower head erect ; graceful arrangement.

Faults. — Irregularity; small, ray-coloured florets
among the disk florets ; streaky or faded colour ; weak
stems that bend limply just beneath the flower head ;
flower heads all brought to the same plane ; wiring.

Hints. — Cut down the plants directly the flowers
begin to fade, and then if watering and feeding are
attended to the plants will give a good second crop of
flowers for autumn use. Remove misplaced or mis-
shapen florets; lightly shade the scarlet varieties from hot
sunshine.

52 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

RHODODENDRONS

At the Flower Shows held in spring in the favoured
South and South-Western districts the Rhododendrons
with their rich and glowing colours almost put the
lighter Daffodils out of countenance. They are so fine,
so interesting, and so useful, that wherever rhododendrons
are a success Classes should be provided for them if the
date of the Show coincides with the average date of the
height of the flowering season. Boxes on stands are often
used, the trusses or heads of bloom, each with its
rosette of leaves, being set in tubes of water, just as
roses are. A better plan is to show Rhododendrons in
vases of varied height, or, if the vases are all of one size
there should be tier staging. In a competition the use of
blocks, inverted pots, etc., to raise the vases should
not bepermitted, because the man who has some distance to
travel is handicapped ; he must either carry a supply of
blocks with him, purchase or hire some at the Flower
Show, or trust to the good nature of his fellow-com-
petitors, and this latter is often a negligible quantity.

For exhibition purposes Rhododendrons might well be
grouped into HIMALAYAN species, varieties, and hybrids,
HARDY GARDEN varieties, and GREENHOUSE varieties.
The latter group would often contain the former, but it
would have the advantage of the yellow, orange, and
scarlet flowers of the Javanese hybrids.

Merits. — Large, full, and high truss ; shapely flowers ;
purity of colour ; fine spots or blotches in the garden
varieties •, healthy leafage below the truss.

Faults. — Small, loose, or flat truss ; stained or damaged
flowers ; poor colouring ; misshapen flowers.

Hints. — Arrange the trusses so that the colours do not
clash with or detract from each other; the rosette of
leaves should rest lightly on the stand or vase rim and
not be pulled or pushed down tightly.

r

CUT FLOWERS 53

ROSES

The Queen of Flowers has long occupied a prominent
position at Flower Shows, and there are not a few
Societies that devote the whole of their attention to
Roses, the chief being the National Rose Society,
strongest of all the special Floricultural Societies.
Notwithstanding the exquisite beauty of well-grown
Rose blooms, it must be conceded that Rose Shows have
been very formal affairs until recent years. Even such
famous florists as the late Dean Hole and the late Rev.
H. H. D'Ombrain, both keen and ardent rosarians, de-
lighted in the orthodox method of exhibiting Roses in
boxes, each bloom fixed stiffly in its tube, with a stout
wire to keep it in position. The growing taste for
elegant arrangements of cut flowers has, fortunately, led
the National Rose Society to make numerous alterations
in its Schedule, and now there are Classes for exhibition
blooms in vases, for bamboo stands filled with Roses,
for table decorations of Roses, for bowls and for
baskets of Roses, for arches of Roses, and for collec-
tions of Garden Roses. Still further, the Garden
Roses are being largely encouraged, and there is at least
one Flower Show annually held in the autumn, when the
value of certain roses for autumn flowering is demon-
strated, and the beauty of Rose hips and haws and
autumn-tinted Rose leafage is made obvious to the
general public.

There are many groups or sections of Roses, but the
chief of those encouraged at Exhibitions are the HYBRID
PERPETUALS ; the TEA-SCENTED varieties ; HYBRID TEAS,
obtained by crossing Hybrid Perpetuals with Tea-scented
Roses ; GARDEN ROSES, i.e. those of free flowering
habit, including the RAMBLER section, and several of the
species, but not including the Roses classed as Exhibition
varieties 5 and SWEET BRIARS, including the charming

54 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

hybrids raised by the late Lord Penzance. It is rarely
there are Classes for other kinds of Roses. The
NOISETTES are so like the Tea-scented Roses that they
are usually shown with them, but competitors must be
careful to observe the wording of the Schedule, and see
whether it is " Tea Roses" or " Teas and Noisettes";
under the former heading Marechal Niel would lead to
disqualification, as it is a Noisette. Another section is
almost certain to receive encouragement at the larger
Rose Shows in the near future ; I refer to the hybrids
from Rosa Wichuraiana, a trailing Japanese species from
which such delightful Roses as Dorothy Perkins, Lady
Gay, etc., have been raised.

The National Rose Society issues a Rose Catalogue
that contains lists of the best varieties of every section
and for practically every purpose. Every rosarian should
secure a copy of this work, because descriptions of the
several groups already noted would not convey a correct
impression or enable one to distinguish between varieties
for Flower Show purposes.

Merits. — Large size ; purity and richness of colouring
or delicate shading, according to the variety ; breadth
and substance of petal ; regular shape ; full centre ;
clean healthy foliage, especially for long stemmed Roses
shown in vases ; regularity and evenness of the blooms
in a box ; correct and legible labels, so placed that the
name of each Rose is seen at a glance.

Faults. — Fully expanded, hollow-centred blooms ;
weather stains ; lack of colour or purity ; split or divided
centre ; overdressed flowers and unnaturally reflexed
petals ; split or otherwise mutilated petals ; a stand of
sombre-hued blooms ; an uneven set of blooms.

Hints. — Use an adjustable, conical rainproof protector
to shelter or shade the blooms that are for exhibition ;
choose one kind of cup and tube and stick to it •, add the
best of new Roses to the collection each year: some Roses

CUT FLOWERS 55

do well and some ill in a given district — ruthlessly discard
the latter; the evening previous to the Show, or at any
rate some hours before cutting, tie a strand of wool
round the centre of each good bloom that has just
opened its outer petals — such treatment keeps the flower
in shape and also encourages the development of the
inner petals, just as tying cabbages and lettuces tends
to develop the "heart"; leave the ties on till the last
possible moment, and cut the flowers in the cool of the
morning or evening ; take a number of spare blooms to
the Flower Show ; label the varieties carefully and
avoid duplication ; Roses must be shown as cut, i.e. no
foliage must be added ; crimson, white, and yellow Roses
are very effective ; select a cool, shady spot in which to
finally arrange the box of blooms — the shaded outside
of a Rose tent is generally cooler than the inside ;
when the boxes are placed on the exhibition table, shade
the flowers with paper, or the box lid, until the bell
rings or the cry " Lids off" warns competitors to retire;
then get a wash and some breakfast, as they help one
to bear defeat philosophically, or stand the fierce joy
of cup-winning without the risk of hysterics.

STOVE AND GREENHOUSE FLOWERS

The old Class for six or twelve kinds of Stove and
Greenhouse Flowers has declined in popularity as
Classes for Hardy Flowers have advanced. This is to
be regretted, as choice indoors flowers have a peculiar
fascination for most people. The display of these
choice flowers in tubes, on boards such as those used
for Roses, has nothing but the convenience of the com-
petitor to recommend it. They should be exhibited in
neat glass vases provided by the Society, or at least of
a specified size if unprovided, and arranged with or
without fern fronds. Most orchid flowers are exhibited

56 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

without any foliage of their own, simply because cutting
away growths or leaves would ruin or injure the plant,
hence the use of fern fronds should be permissible.

Merits. — Size, substance, and rich colour or purity
according to the kind or variety exhibited ; freshness
and absence of blemish ; elegant arrangement of each
subject and of the collection as a whole ; correct,
legible, but unostentatious labelling.

Faults. — Poor quality, and inferior varieties to repre-
sent the kind ; crowding ; the use of fern fronds
where the natural foliage attaching to the flowers or
spikes is sufficient ; wires or other supports.

Hints. — Erect flowers are more effective than pendulous
ones ; one faded flower will reduce the value of a spike,
if allowed to remain ; a good judge will not point a
collection high simply because it contains several orchids
— some competitors attach too much importance to
orchids, and fondly fancy that third-rate Cypripediums
will score higher than good Allamandas.

SWEET PEAS

During the last quarter of a century, Sweet Peas have
been raised from a lowly position in the garden to a
place of great importance. They are foremost among
Hardy Annuals. Their beauty of form and colour,
their grace and usefulness in floral arrangements, and
their adaptability to exhibition requirements have all
helped to make them immensely popular.

Previous to the year 1900, Classes for Sweet Peas were
provided at the principal Flower Shows held in July,
August, and September; but in that year, when the
Bicentenary of the Introduction of the Sweet Pea into
Great Britain was celebrated at the Crystal Palace, an
exhibition entirely composed of Sweet Peas was held
for the first time. The National Sweet Pea Society

AN EXHIBITION HUNCH OF SWEET PEAS

Staged in Godfrey's Tube, which is an elongated tin funnel that fits into a -wood block. Tht
one into the other and the blocks can be strung together like beads

tubesfit

CUT FLOWERS 57

was subsequently founded, and its first exhibition was
held at the Royal Aquarium, Westminster, on July 25
and 26, 1901, a Schedule of twenty-one Classes being
provided. There were about 120 members at the end
of 1901, and about looo at the end of 1909. Some of
the larger Provincial Societies now devote a whole
tent to Sweet Peas, and throughout the country there
are many Sweet Pea Societies and Sweet Pea Clubs —
facts that indicate the wonderful popularity of Sweet Peas.

Sweet Peas group themselves naturally into three
divisions, i.e. those with ERECT STANDARDS, those with
WAVED STANDARDS, and those with HOODED STANDARDS.
But Classification is by colour and not by form, and the
Classification for 1909-10 arranges for twenty-one colour
Classes, as follows : White, Blush, Crimson and Scarlet,
Cerise, Rose and Carmine, Cream Pink, Pink, Yellow
and Buff Shades, Orange Shades, Blue, Lavender, Violet
and Purple, Mauve, Magenta, Maroon and Bronze,
Striped and Flaked — Red and Rose, Striped and Flaked
— Blue and Purple, Picotee Edged, Bicolors, Fancies,
and Marbled.

Sweet Peas are exhibited in vases, and rarely other-
wise than one variety in a vase ; from twelve to thirty
spikes in a vase, according to the grade of the competitor
and the importance of the Class, are usually required.
The National Sweet Pea Society has suggested that an
ideal bunch consists of twenty sprays, but for 1910 it
has limited the number to twenty. A " spray" is one
spike or inflorescence.

Merits. — Large blooms; firm texture; long stiff stems;
not less than three flowers on a stem ; standard erect,
waved, or only slightly hooded ; standard, wings, and
keel to be in such proportion to each other as will
constitute a harmonious and well-balanced flower ;
brilliance or purity of colouring ; freshness, harmonious
arrangement of the varieties in a collection.

58 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

Faults. — Crowding, a mixture of fresh and stale
blooms ; malformed flowers ; spots or streaks in the
colouring — caused by cutting and packing the flowers
when damp, or by an excess of water given to the plants
just previous to gathering.

Hints. — All orange and scarlet Sweet Peas, and some
with deep blue shading, are liable to " burn " or " scald "
during hot sunshine ; these should be lightly shaded with
cheese cloth or butter muslin. Put the stems in water
as soon as cut from the plants, and let them stand in
water in a cool, shady room or shed, for at least two or
three hours (three to six hours are better) before pack-
ing them. Pack the spikes in flattish bunches, and
enfold each bunch in one thickness of tissue paper. Pack
the bunches in single layers, using several sliding shelves,
if large quantities have to be packed in big boxes.

The boxes in which Sweet Peas are conveyed to the
Flower Show should be ventilated by means of air holes
bored in the sides. When unpacked, the flowers should
" rustle " together when lightly shaken ; if they do this
they are in good condition. Stand the spikes in water
after cutting a quarter of an inch from each stem to allow
free absorption of moisture.

TULIPS

There are still a faithful few who consider the Old
English varieties represent the "highest" type of Tulip
beauty, but their ranks do not increase in any sufficient
measure to give cause for hope that these old favourite
flowers will ever become very popular. In the seven-
teenth century, folks traded with Tulips as with stocks
and shares, and money passed freely without either bulb
or flower being handled or seen. Enormous prices were
paid for a share in a bulb of a rare variety, and as the
intrinsic value of Tulip bulbs was far, far below the

CUT FLOWERS 59

share value, the inevitable crash came, and the Tulip
mania ended, bringing ruin to many a Dutch and English
home.

The Dutch or Early-flowering Bedding Tulips are
rarely exhibited as cut flowers, although as pot plants
they receive due recognition at Spring Shows. From an
exhibition point of view the great value of the later
Tulips, and chiefly those known as May-flowering or
Cottage varieties, and the tall, substantial Darwin Tulips,
has not yet been recognised by Flower Show authorities.
These, arranged in vases, make a beautiful and effective
display, and under careful treatment the blooms keep
fresh several days. Wherever Flower Shows are held in
the first half of May these fine Tulips should have Classes
provided for them.

Old English, or Florists', Tulips are, for exhibition
purposes, classified as Bizarres, Bybloemens, and Roses,
and each class is again divided into flamed and feathered
varieties.

BIZARRES are yellow ground flowers marked with
red, brown, or purplish black, the markings being either
in the form of a flame or vivid shading of colour, or in
the form of a feather ; the colour radiating in pencilled
lines from the central bar.

BYBLCEMENS have a white ground, either flamed or
feathered with some shade of purple.

ROSES have also a pure white ground, either famed or
feathered with rose or scarlet shades.

BREEDERS are seedling Tulips. They are self-coloured
and very like the Darwin varieties, but the latter appear
to have been fixed, whereas a Breeder tulip is a seedling
form that has not yet shown its true character. Seed-
lings from Old English varieties will produce self-coloured
flowers for several successive years, and during that
period they are " Breeders " •, but when once they give
flowers that are Earned or feathered they are said to

60 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

" break," or to have " broken," and they have then to
stand or fail by the standard of excellence set up for
the finely marked Show varieties.

Merits. — Large cup-shaped flowers ; broad, rounded
segments ; purity of ground colour 5 regularity and
brilliance of markings ; clear, unmarked base ; fresh-
ness ; substance.

Faults. — Unequal segments ; discoloured base ; un-
decided ground colour ; irregular and weak markings ;
faded edges ; weather stains.

Hints. — Carefully shade the flowers from bright
sunshine and shelter them from rain ; a wooden frame-
work over the beds, with canvas covering, will serve
the purpose. To keep the flowers in shape and to
prevent the pollen dust from staining the flower, use
a deep pill-box without top or bottom ; open the flower
with the fingers and slip the rim of thin wood inside.
This contrivance also helps to expand a young bloom.

VIOLAS

These pretty and sweetly scented flowers invariably
attract a great deal of attention when exhibited in good
style. The common practice is to set up the flowers in
flat, triangular bunches of six or ten flowers, and though
this system is a barbarous one it must be conceded that
flowers so displayed are very effective from a Flower
Show point of view. Further, the system permits a
competitor to make up his bunches before leaving home,
and then all he has to do on reaching the Show is to
put the bunches in the tubes of water or arrange them
on a sheet of black velvet thrown over a slanting board,
and spray them with water. I have a strong objection
to flowers (floral designs excepted) being shown out of
water, and if I could have my way, would not permit their
display unless the stems were in water or wet sand.

CUT FLOWERS 61

Violas may be divided into three groups — RAYED,
RAYLESS, and MINIATURE. The two former may
usually be shown together, but most judges prefer
rayless flowers. The FANCY varieties are very effective,
and are admissible where the Schedule specification
does not exclude them.

Merits. — Good shape ; broad segments ; clear and rich
colouring ; fragrance ; well-defined eye ; well-defined
edge colouring and bold blotches on Picotee-edged and
Blotched flowers ; bright contrasts in the colouring of
Fancy varieties; small, neat, and fragrant flowers of
Miniature or Violetta varieties ; flowers just clear of each
other in the sprays.

Faults. — Clouded or muddy colouring ; weather or
insect marks ; lack of substance ; blooms of unequal size
in the spray ; sprays of unequal size ; too many dark
varieties in a collection.

Hints. — Wire each bloom by pushing the end of a
thin wire through the spur and binding the wire to the
stem with a strand of damp wool ; add a few sprigs of
firm young growth as the spray is made up ; let the
flowers stand just clear of each other ; dark, velvety
flowers suffer most from damp ; light colours are easily
soiled, therefore protect them from rain ; gather the
flowers in early morning or late evening.

VIOLETS

So many and great have been the improvements made
among Violets during recent years that it is small wonder
the fragrant and beautiful flowers are becoming more
and more popular for exhibition purposes at the spring
and late autumn Flower Shows. Six bunches of Violets
are usually required by the Schedule, and these may each
represent a distinct variety, or not less than three
varieties may be required. In every case each bunch

62 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

should consist of but one variety, because mixed bunches
are sure to lose points and may be disqualified. A limit
is usually placed upon the number of blooms permitted
in each bunch.

Merits. — Stems long and flowers large for the
particular variety ; freshness ; clear rich colouring ; rich
fragrance ; clean healthy leafage if it is allowed with
the flowers.

Faults. — Discoloured and limp flowers ; a crowded
bunch ; cutting the stems of all varieties to the same
length ; absence of fragrance.

Hints. — Arrange the flowers in clear glass vases,
suiting the depth of these to the length of the flower
stems ; it is absurd to place the long-stemmed La France
or California varieties, in short vases fit only for four-
inch stems ; narrow vases are best, provided they are
wide enough to accommodate the proper number of
flowers ; an over-wide vase makes the arrangement of
the flowers a difficult matter ; the ordinary market-
bunch style of exhibit is not likely to receive the approval
of a good judge.

CHAPTER V
EXHIBITION BOARDS, STANDS, ETC.

THERE may come a time when cut flowers will always
be exhibited in vases ; when all boards and formal
stands will have been burned ; and when a Flower Show
will not contain long rows of blooms all on the same
dead level. Almost every Exhibitor agrees that blooms
of roses, chrysanthemums, dahlias, etc., are much more
effective, more beautiful, more natural, and more useful
when displayed in vases than when arranged on boards.

The difficulty of carrying long-stemmed flowers, suit-
able for vases, over long distances is considerable, and
such flowers, owing to the enlarged surface of stem and
leaf from which moisture evaporates, do not last so long
or carry so well as the short-stemmed flowers. And
these points are used as arguments for the retention of
boards at exhibitions, rather than used directly against
the vases.

There is little doubt, however, but that boards and
stands will have to give way to more elegant methods
of display as the years advance and as the taste for grace-
fully disposed cut flowers increases. In many instances,
especially in connection with Chrysanthemum Shows, it
would be fatal to suddenly and wholly do away with
boards and substitute vases. Let the change come
gradually, and remember that the abolition of boards,
boxes, and stands would mean the loss of invested
capital to many Exhibitors ; and further, these same Ex-
hibitors would have to make or purchase larger and

64 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

totally different boxes for the carriage of long-stemmed
flowers. Let the change be made as easy as possible for
the Exhibitors.

Meanwhile, as boards, boxes, and stands are required,
their sizes must necessarily be given.

ASTERS

In the North, where the old-time methods of exhibit-
ing florists' flowers still obtain, one finds Asters staged in
boxes or stands, and each bloom carefully disposed on a
paper collar, a lace-paper collar for preference. The
holes for the blooms of China Asters must be 6 ins.
from centre to centre, and the outer row 3 ins. from
the edge of the board. The latter must be 4^ ins.
high at the back and 3^ ins. high in front.

CARNATIONS AND PICOTEES

Where the old florists' regulations are rigidly adhered
to, Carnation and Picotee flowers are exhibited on boxes
or stands, and each flower has a circular white card under
it, resting on the box. Scorn and satire have been heaped
upon this old-fashioned method of showing flowers in
collars (even now these cards are sometimes frilled or
made of lace paper), but the enthusiastic florists go on
their way serenely, unaffected by it all, unless it be that
they pity those who do not agree with them.

The National Carnation and Picotee Society gives the
following measurements : —

The blooms have to be arranged in three rows of four
each, and the holes for the reception of the flowers are
made gf ins. from centre to centre, and 2 J inches from the
centre of the outer holes to the edge of the box or stand.

For twelve blooms, I5f ins. long, 12 ins. wide, and
4! ins. high.

EXHIBITION BOARDS, STANDS, ETC. 65

For three blooms, six blooms, eighteen blooms, or
twenty-four blooms the stands are the same width and
depth, but the length varies, though in each case the
flowers must be arranged in three rows and the same
spaces must be allowed between the holes, and between
the holes and the edge of the box or stand.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS

There was a time when the " Battle of the Boards "
raged fiercely. New and improved varieties of the
Japanese section, together with improved cultural
methods made it impossible to properly display full-'
sized blooms on the boards then in vogue. More room
was finally allowed, and the dimensions here given for
boards are those in force under the National Chrysan-
themum Society's Regulations.

Incurved Chrysanthemums

For twelve blooms, 2 ft. wide, I ft., 6 ins. deep.

For six blooms, I ft. wide, I ft. 6 ins. deep.

Boards for Incurved Chrysanthemums must be 6 ins
high at the back, and 3 inches high in the front. The
holes for the tubes and flowers must be 6 inches apart,
from centre to centre.

Japanese Chrysanthemums

For twelve blooms, 2 ft. 4 ins. wide (left to right),
and I ft. 9 ins. deep (back to front).

For six blooms, I ft. 2 ins. wide, and I ft. 9 ins. deep.

Two boards of twelve blooms may serve for a
"24" class, three boards for a "36" class, and four
boards for a "48" class. In every case, however, the
boards must be 7 ins. high at the back, and 4 ins.
high in the front. The holes for the reception of the

66 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

tubes in which the blooms are fixed must be 7 ins.
apart, measuring from centre to centre.

DAFFODILS

These beautiful spring flowers are now extensively
exhibited during March and April, and competitors have
to be careful to comply with the regulations that bear
upon the Classification of the varieties. Formerly there
were three broad divisions : — Large Crowns, Medium
Crowns, and Small Crowns. The Poets' Narcissi were
separated from the latter division to form a distinct sub-
division, as also were the multiflowered Polyantha or
Tazetta varieties, and the double varieties had a section
to themselves. But now, since the Cult has grown and
the sections as well as the broad divisions have been
merged one into the other by the raisers, the need for a
further classification has arisen. To meet this need the
Royal Horticultural Society has issued the following
Classification : — Division I. Long Trumpets ; II.
Short Trumpets ; III. Large Cups ; IV. Small Cups ;
V. Flat Cups ; VI. Doubles ; VII. Bunch Flowered. If
is quite possible to again divide these into Self- White
Self-Yellow, Bicolor, and other subdivisions, according
to the desire or need of the Committee and district
where the Show is held. A new Classification is
promised shortly.

As in the case of Sweet Peas, so with Daffodils, the
flowers are shown in vases, either alone or with their
own foliage. It is usual to require three flowers of
each variety, though the number varies from one bloom
of a variety in novice's Classes up to a dozen blooms in
the larger classes and for popular varieties. In some
directions a good deal of liberty is permitted in the size
and kind of vase used. A much better plan would be
that of compelling all Exhibitors to use a certain size and
kind of vase, provided by the Show authorities,

EXHIBITION BOARDS, STANDS, ETC. 67

DAHLIAS

The National Dahlia Society does not fix the dimen-
sions of stands and boards for Dahlias, but rules that
they shall not exceed those given below. In general
practice these measurements are adhered to.

Sho*w and Fancy Dahlias on Boards.

For 48 blooms, 8 ft. long (left to right), and I

ft. 6 ins. wide (back to front).
For 24 blooms, 4 ft. long, and I ft. 6 ins. wide.
For 1 8 blooms, 3 ft. long, and I ft. 6 ins. wide.
For 12 blooms, 2 ft. long, and I ft. 6 ins. wide.
For 6 blooms, I ft. long, and I ft. 6 ins. wide.

Cactus Dahlias on Boards.

For 48 blooms, 8 ft. 8 ins. long, and I ft. 7j ins.

wide.
For 24 blooms, 4 ft. 4 ins. long, and I ft. 7j ins.

wide.
For 12 blooms, 2 ft. 2 ins. long, and I ft. 71 ins.

wide.
For 6 blooms, I ft. I in. long, and I ft. 71 ins. wide.

The boards must also be 3 ins. high in front, and 9
ins. high at the back.

Cactus Dahlias on Stands.

For 1 8 bunches of 6 blooms each, 8 ft. long, and 2

ft. 3 ins. wide.
For 12 bunches of 6 blooms each, 5 ft. long, and

2 ft. 3 ins. wide.
For 6 bunches of 6 blooms each, 2 ft. 6 ins. long,

and 2 ft. 3 ins. wide.
For 9 bunches of 3 blooms each, 3 ft. 6 ins. long,

and 2 ft. 3 ins. wide.
For 6 bunches of 3 blooms each, 2 ft. 3 ins. long,

and 2 ft. 3 ins. wide.

68 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

Pompon Dahlias on Stands.

For 24 bunches of lo blooms each, 8 ft. long, and

2 ft. 3 ins. wide.
For 12 bunches of 10 blooms each, 4 ft. long, and

2 ft. 3 ins. wide.
For 12 bunches of 6 blooms each, 4 feet long, and

2 ft. 3 ins. wide.
For 6 bunches of 10 blooms each, 2 ft. 3 ins. long

and 2 ft. g ins. wide.
For 6 bunches of 6 blooms each, 2 ft. long, and 2

ft. 3 ins, wide.

Single Dahlias on Stands.

These are exhibited in the same manner as Pompon
Dahlias, and the dimensions of the stands are similar to
those for cactus Dahlias, the flowers being staged in
bunches of six or ten blooms.

GAILLARDIAS

These find favour in several districts, and when there
is no rule for staging them in any other way, then
boards, such as used for African Marigolds (which see),
are generally used.

MARIGOLDS

In the North of England and in Scotland African and
French Marigolds are very popular exhibition flowers.
The former are usually shown in half-dozens, and the
blooms are set in two rows of three. French Marigolds,
in dozens, are displayed in four rows of three blooms
each. The holes for African Marigolds must be 6 ins.
apart, measuring from centre to centre, and for French
Marigolds, 4 ins. from centre to centre.

African Marigolds.

For 6 blooms, I ft. wide, I ft. 7j ins. deep ; height
at front 3^ ins., height at back 4^ ins.

A SWEET PEA TEMPLE
Messrs. yas. Carter & Co.'s Gold Medal exhibit at the National Sweet Pea Society's Show in

EXHIBITION BOARDS, STANDS, ETC. 69

French Marigolds.

For 12 blooms, I ft. 6 ins. wide, 1 ft. deep; height
at front 3 ins., height at back 4 ins.

PANSIES

Pansy fanciers are very conservative in their methods
of displaying flowers ; in fact, there is but one right and
proper way. The beautiful blooms are laid out as flatly
as possible on white cards, and arranged on a black-
enamelled tin stand or wooden tray. Each flower is
fixed in position by means of a pin through the stem, just
behind the card, and the stem is then inserted in the hole
in the tray or stand. The holes must be 3 ins. apart
from centre to centre, and the outer holes \\ ins. from
the edge of the stand or tray. The latter should be
4 ins. high at the back, but the front may rest on the
table in most cases.

PELARGONIUMS

At not a few local exhibitions Zonal and other Pelar-
goniums are staged on boards for competition. In most
cases six or twelve trusses are required, and it is usual
to wedge each stem in a small tube of water. Whatever
the kind of Pelargonium staged — i.e. Zonal, Nosegay,
Fancy, Show, Regal, or Ivy-leaved — the same sized board
is used, and must be I ft. long, I ft. J \ ins. deep, 4^ ins.
high in front, and 5| ins. high at the back. There
should be two rows of holes, three in each row, and the
holes must be 6 ins. from centre to centre.

PINKS

By far the prettiest method of showing Pinks is that
of arranging a given number of blooms in a vase of
stated size, say, a dozen blooms in a vase 7 ins. high
and 2 \ ins. wide ; but in districts where florists' flowers
are largely grown for competition, Pinks are mostly staged

70 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

on boards. For six blooms, the board must be 1 1 ins.
long and 9^ ins. wide.

ROSES

Unless otherwise directed by the Schedule, Roses are
staged in boxes. Obviously the size of the boxes differs
with the number of blooms to be shown, but the
National Rose Society rules that all boxes shall be
4 ins. high in front and 1 8 ins. wide. In the matter of
length the dimensions are : —

For 24 blooms, 3 ft. 6 ins. long.
For 1 8 blooms, 2 ft. 9 ins. long.
For 12 blooms, 2 ft. long.
For 9 blooms, I ft. 6 ins. long.
For 6 blooms, I ft. long.

SWEET PEAS

Apart from Floral arrangements, Sweet Peas should
always be shown in vases, and where the management
provides the vases either free or at a small fee, these
should be of stoneware, and coloured green. Glass
vases are more elegant, but they are costly, and the risk
of breakage is great.

The National Sweet-Pea Society suggests that an
ideal bunch of Sweet Peas, in the vases supplied by the
Society (7 ins. high, and 2 J ins. wide at the mouth), con-
sists of twenty sprays, and, unless otherwise specified,
more than twenty sprays will disqualify.

STOCKS

Stocks are exhibited in various ways, but a very
common and excellent method is that of staging the
whole plant — root, branch, and flower. With the root
in water, and hidden from view by the green earthen-
ware vase, stocks are very effective, but the appearance
of six or twelve specimens suffers considerably when the

MK. CRANES NEW .METHOD OK EXHIBITING VIOLAS
Theftoivers are set in -wet sand, in shallow pans, and arranged with Viola foliage or Hawthorn shoots

A WONDERFUL DISPLAY OK VEGETABLES

Arranged by Messrs. Jas. Carter &• Co., High Holborn, at the Franco-Jit itish Exhibition (
and a7uarded a Gold Medal and the Grand Prix

EXHIBITION BOARDS, STANDS, ETC. 71

roots are placed in clear glass receptacles and in dirty
water. Vases of opaque material should always be used,
and their colour should be unobtrusive.

VIOLAS

The most popular method of arranging Violas for
exhibition consists of wiring the individual blooms,
making these up into triangular sprays of either six or
nine flowers, with a few sprigs of Viola growth, and
then setting the sprays in sharply inclined and easel-
like stands, the stems being put into tubes of water.
Fine colour effects are thus produced, but the method
is intensely formal, and it seems sinful to wire up each
dainty bloom into position in a flat spray. Black velvet is
a favourite background, laid over the stand, for Violas.

Many years ago I persuaded Messrs Dobbie & Co.
to exhibit some of their exquisite Violas in low vases
and bowls as well as in the orthodox sprays, and they
did so, to the great delight of the general public.
But Mr Cuthbertson told me that the time and trouble
the newer method entailed was too great for the small
amount of time they usually had to arrange a display.
If the sprays, made up at Rothesay or Marks Tey, were
ready for their showman to put up straight from the
packing, the work went merrily ; but to sort out and
arrange flowers one by one was too great a task. Mr
D. B. Crane has improved on my idea, and he and his
son, Mr Howard Crane, have made many beautiful
exhibits of Violas in shallow bowls, setting the flowers
in damp sand, with a few sprays of growth, or, in some
cases, small sprigs of hawthorn. Six bowls, twelve
blooms in each, would make a pretty and novel class.

ZINNIAS

Practically the same regulations are observed for
exhibiting Zinnias as for Pinks, which see.

CHAPTER VI
FRUITS

APPLES

THESE are placed in two divisions (l) dessert, (2)
culinary. Dessert varieties are judged according to
their known flavour. The Royal Horticultural Society
places a premium upon fruits of medium size, in its
competitions. It specifically states in its Annual Schedule
that fruits of Blenheim Pippin and Ribston Pippin
apples, when staged in dessert Classes, must be of a
size that will pass through a three-inch ring.

Merits. — Dessert apples must be of good colour ;
the more highly coloured the better. Skin not bruised
or otherwise blemished. Eye and stalk intact, because
the stalk and the shape of the eye and its segments are
marked characters of varieties. The fruits may be
shown ripe or unripe unless the Schedule stipulates that
ripe fruits must be exhibited.

Culinary or cooking varieties should exhibit the same
good outward characters as dessert varieties, and in
their case size and weight are especial merits for
exhibition.

Faults. — Fruits with very deep-set eyes are not held
in esteem. Other defects in both divisions are poor
colouring (in coloured varieties), irregular shape, lack or
size, and blemishes from any cause whatever.

APRICOTS

These choice fruits should be richly coloured all
round and not on one side only. They should be of

72

FRUITS 73

even, regular form, without split or blemish, and
ought to be ripe and ready for eating when staged.

BANANAS

These are seldom exhibited. Large, smooth, clear-
skinned, well ripened " fingers," with flesh of a rich
flavour, are meritorious. Badly grown, discoloured
fruits are defective.

BLACKBERRIES

These fruits must be large, bright, jet black, and of
even shape, and should be shown on the stalk, the
latter serving as a "handle."

CHERRIES

These must be large, plump, smooth, of a rich bright
colour according to the variety; juicy, and of sweet,
agreeable flavour. Shrivelling in the stalks or fruit is a
defect.

FIGS

In these luscious fruits the qualities of size and
flavour ought to be combined. Size without flavour is
a serious defect. The fruits should be ripe and just
ready to crack, with a " dewdrop " in the eye, and
they should be covered with a fine bloom. They are
defective for exhibition unless they are ripe and
sugary, or if misshapen, blemished, or badly cracked.

GRAPES

Broadly speaking, bunches of grapes ought to be
large, broad-shouldered, and tapering evenly. Every
berry should be fully developed, the bunches being
compact and solid, but not overcrowded. Perfect
cleanliness, freedom from bruise, spot, shanking, or

74 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

mildew, or any such defect is expected in high-class
grapes. Muscat of Alexandria should be of an amber
colour when well finished, and other "white" varieties
must be equally developed according to the variety.
"Black" grapes must also be of a rich deep colour, not
red, which is a sign of imperfection, and a distinct bloom
should entirely cover them.

Faults. — These, chiefly, are loose, ungainly, ill-balanced
bunches, or overcrowded and undersized berries ; lack of
colour, or loss of bloom. It must be remembered that the
shape of the bunches varies considerably, in different
varieties.

" For exhibition purposes Bowood Muscat, Charles-
worth Tokay, and Tyninghame Muscat are to be
regarded as synonymous with Muscat of Alexandria,
and cannot be shown as distinct varieties. In the same
way Gros Maroc and Cooper's Black are considered
synonymous." Ex. Royal Horticultural Society's
" Rules for Judging."

CURRANTS

Red and White Currants are expected to be large-
berried, in long, close-set clusters, the berries transpar-
ently clear, clean, and bright. They are usually shown
in the bunch. Black Currants may be and generally are
exhibited as picked for preserving. They should be
rich, glossy black, and large.

GOOSEBERRIES

Dessert gooseberries must be fresh, large, firm, clean,
ripe, but not bursting, and of good colour. Dullness
and undersize are defects.

In the " heavy-weight " competitions at the special
Gooseberry Shows, the great object is size and weight.
The heaviest berry at Harborne (Birmingham) Show in

FRUITS 75

1904 was Bobby, which weighed 26 dwt. 5 grains. A
Gooseberry Show has annually been held at the Green
Man Hotel, Harborne, since 1815, and a book of records
is published.

MELONS

Melons can test severely the abilities of cultivators.
The fruits need not be large -, indeed, the smaller-sized
fruits (those of about 15 ins. circumference) are often
the best flavoured. A fruit of 6 ins. diameter is
quite large enough, and with deep, melting, sweet,
juicy flesh and thin rind, it represents the best quality.
The best exhibition melons are " ripened to the day,"
as the saying is ; which means that they are at the most
perfect state of ripeness for eating, aromatic, and richly
flavoured. The netting should be even and well finished.
Handsome appearance is desirable, but not essential, in
in melons.

Faults. — These are huge size, coarseness, insipid
flavour, thick rind, and little flesh. Melons ought to
be judged by tasting, and not merely by their aroma or
appearance.

NECTARINES

Nectarines and Peaches require to be large, firm,
without bruise or blemish ; colour highly developed
according to the variety ; with rich, juicy, melting
flesh, the latter as free as possible from any red
colouring. Size, colour, and shape ought not to be
encouraged or rewarded unless accompanied by good
flavour, but, as a general rule, large specimens are
generally superior in flavour to smaller examples of the
same variety.

Faults. — Lack of size, poor colour, hardness or over-
ripeness, irregularity of outline and bruises.

76 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

ORANGES

These are the exception rather than the rule at ex-
hibitions. They are shown with foliage attached, and
the fruits should be even in form, clear, smooth-skinned,
with firm, juicy, melting, stringless flesh.

NUTS

In every case Nuts should have a large, full, sweet
kernel, and a thin shell. The old distinctions between
long-bearded nuts (filberts) and short-bearded (Cob-nuts)
have been now broken down.

PLUMS AND GAGES

The fruits must be large for the variety ; ripe yet
firm ; smooth, unblemished, fresh, of good colour and
carrying a fine bloom. Size and weight are expected in
cooking plums, together with good appearance.

PINEAPPLES

These are very handsome fruits when properly grown
and well developed. The crown must be duly propor-
tioned to the fruit, and unblemished. Size and evenness
of pip are high qualities. Rich clear colour and cleanli-
ness are other merits. The fruits must be large, solid,
aromatic, richly flavoured, and ripe throughout.

PEACHES

These have the same merits or defects as Nectarines
(which see). They both not infrequently grow on the
the same tree (without being separately budded in).

PEARS

In a general way pears have the same merits and
defects as apples (which see) from an exhibition point of

FRUITS 77

view. Dessert varieties should have sweet, melting,
juicy, flesh. Over-ripeness is a very serious defect ;
loss of stalk is another.

RASPBEkRIES

Raspberries must be large, bright, well coloured, of
even shape, and should be shown on the stalk. Good
flavour is a merit, and the converse a defect.

STRAWBERRIES

Merits. — Fruits large, of a regular and uniform size,
texture fine -9 flavour rich with a moderate amount of
acid and with an aromatic odour. The seeds should be
deeply imbedded, and the calyx set high, so as to be
easily detached. A longitudinal cut in the fruit should
show no hollow space.

Faults. — Lack of bright, clear colour ; softness, ir-
regularity and bruises.

TOMATOES

These are now usually shown in collections of vege-
tables, or as dishes in the vegetable section. Under
this latter division they are referred to.

MISCELLANEOUS FRUITS

Fruits that are not usually included in exhibition
Schedules as subjects for competition, but which are
occasionally shown in miscellaneous or general collec-
tions of fruits, or as individual exhibits, comprise the
following :

The ALMOND (Prunus Amygdalus) ; the kernel of the
sweet varieties is sometimes eaten at dessert.

The BARBERRY (Herberts vulgarls). The pretty scarlet
berries are acid and astringent. They are sometimes

78 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

eaten raw, and they also make an excellent preserve.
Occasionally, too, they are used to decorate large collec-
tions of fruit as staged by nurserymen and others.

The SWEET CHESTNUT (Castanea sativa). This is not
commonly used as dessert, but in times gone by the
practice of " beating the chestnut trees " was annually
performed. The nuts are generally used roasted.

The LOGANBERRY. A hybrid between the raspberry and
blackberry, raised in California. The fruits are like
those of the raspberry in shape, but with larger pips,
and darker colouring. They are larger than those of the
average raspberry, and have an agreeable, juicy, and acid
flesh.

The LOQUAT (Photinia japonica). The small rounded
fruits are something over i in. in diameter, borne in
clusters, coloured pale yellow, and flushed with red.
The yellowish flesh has an agreeably sharp, sub-acid
flavour.

The MEDLAR (Mespilus germanica). This stands nearly
midway between the Quince and the Hawthorn. The
fruits vary in size and colour. They are about as large
as a small apple, with depressed apex, rounded shoulders,
and pyriform toward the base. They must be shown
ripe (bletted).

MONSTERA DELICIOSA. A tropical Aroid whose fleshy
fruit (spadix), when well-ripened, has a rich, pineapple-
and-melon flavour. Good fruits should be six or seven
inches long, and broad in proportion.

The MULBERRY (Morus nlgra). The berries are
occasionally used for dessert. The fruits are oval, f
inch to I inch in diameter at the widest part ; dark
purple coloured, approaching to black ; juicy, and of sub-
acid flavour.

THE QUINCE (Pyrus Cydonia). Closely allied to the
pear. The fruits are only used when cooked and are
not often exhibited.

FRUITS 79

THE WINEBERRY (Rubus phoenicolasius). The fruits
are of the Raspberry type, crimson coloured, as are the
stalk and calyx, these being covered with long purple
hairs.

THE WALNUT (Juglans regia). Fruits are used for
pickling when they are young ; and when ripe the kernel
forms a favourite article of dessert. They should be
large of their kind, with a thin or medium shell, and a
large, full kernel, of a sweet nutty flavour.

CLASSIFICATION OF FRUITS

Pomaceous jruits have a core normally containing several
seeds, and comprise apples, pears, medlars, loquat, and
quince.

Drupaceous fruits have a single hard seed surrounded
by flesh, as plums, cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines,
almonds.

Berries are pulpy or juicy fruits with several seeds set
loosely ,in the pulp, as grapes, gooseberries, currants,
elderberries, raspberries, Loganberry, and Japanese
wineberry. Botanically the strawberry is not a true
" berry," what is eaten is the fleshy, enlarged thalamus.
The " seeds" are embedded in and upon the flesh or
thalamus.

Nuts are fruits having a tough or hard shell which
encloses a kernel, as cobs and filberts, chestnuts and
walnuts.

CHAPTER VII
STAGING FRUITS, QUANTITIES, ETC.

CERTAIN general observations apply to the exhibiting
of all kinds of fruits. One of the first things to avoid
is irregularity in the fruits composing a dish or stand ;
that is to say, in a dish of six peaches or six apples it is
most undesirable and very unwise to include one large,
handsome fruit amid five that are distinctly its inferior
in size. Its appearance against the others detracts from
their general effect. Evenness therefore ought to be
one of the first considerations in staging.

Secondly, make it a rule to preserve the "bloom"
upon fruits. To rub off the " bloom " or to polish fruits
of any sort is regarded as a grave defect ; yet this opera-
tion is one very often practised. The greatest pains
should be expended, indeed, to preserve the " bloom,"
especially upon grapes and plums, where it shows better
than upon most other fruits. Its presence as an un-
ruffled, complete covering is looked upon as the symbol
of high finish.

There is always the opportunity also for the exercise
of taste in staging exhibits, be they great or small.
Upon the whole, it is unwise to use foliage on the dishes
containing the larger fruits, as apples, peaches, pears,
plums, melons ; but if foliage is employed, let it be
unobtrusive. But in arranging the various dishes or
items of a collection upon a stage or table, heed should
be given to the due balancing of each and all. Skill
in staging may lead to the higher award : it may be " the

STAGING FRUITS, QUANTITIES, ETC. 81

balancing factor " if the other features in the competition
run close. The smaller fruits will, of course, find a
place toward the front of the stage ; melons and pine-
apples will fill the middle and end places, and if grapes
are in the same collection these will invariably be at the
back, if on a stage or bench, or in the middle or ends, or
both, if upon a table.

In every case the Exhibitor should endeavour to stage
the " best-quality" varieties. This implies the selection
of the best-flavoured, highest-quality varieties of whatever
the subject may be. Other things being equal, a good
judge will always bestow hit> awards on the dish or dishes
on which these choice, high-quality fruits are. The
knowledge of varieties and their individual attributes is
therefore very necessary for the would-be successful
competitor.

Spots, specks, bruises, cracks, decay, shrivelling, lack
of size, malformation, uncleanliness, want of colour, want
of eyes or stalks, are all general defects. Abnormal size
is not always a virtue, but if size can be obtained in con-
junction with the other special points of merit relative to
the subject, it is most usually regarded with favour.
In the selection of kinds for collections, regard should be
paid to their point-value, i.e. the points that each dish is
worth in judging. The following standard of points is
commonly used by first-class judges : —

Points

Pineapples . . .10
Muscat of Alexandria

Grapes . . . lo

Other White Grapes . 9

Black Grapes . . 9

Melons ... 8

Peaches ... 8

Nectarines ... 8

Pears 8

Points

Bananas ... 8

Apples ... 7

Figs .... 7

Plums ... 6

Apricots ... 6

Oranges . . . 6

Strawberries . . 6

Cherries 5

Gooseberries . 5

82 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

Points

Raspberries . . 5
Currants ... 4
Damsons . . . 4

Points

Walnuts ... 3

Mulberries . . 3

Medlars ... 3

Blackberries . . 3

Cob Nuts and Filberts 4
Tomatoes (if admitted) 4

The table of points adopted by the Shropshire Horti-
cultural Society for its Champion Grape Class at the
August Show held in Shrewsbury, is slightly different.
Thus : —

" A maximum of II points may be given to Muscat

of Alexandria.

" A maximum of lo points may be given to all
other Muscats, black or white ; and to Black
Hamburgh.
" A maximum of 9 points may be given to all

other grapes."

If we apply these points to a " Champion Grape Class,"
such as that at the Shropshire Horticultural Society
(Shrewsbury), the apportioning of them might be ex-
emplified thus : —

1 Madresfield Court .

2 Muscat of Alexandria

3 Mrs Pince

4 -

5 Muscat of Alexandria

6 Madresfield Court .

7 Gros Maroc .

8 Alnwick Seedling .

9 Muscat of Alexandria
lo

1 1 Madresfield Court .

12 Alnwick Seedling .

Grand Total, 112^ 122

STAGING FRUITS, QUANTITIES, ETC. 83

With reference to the order in which these grapes
are named, it should be noticed that the above represents
their order of sequence as staged. This bears out the
hints that were given in an earlier paragraph of this
section, to stage all exhibits as effectively as possible.
It will also be observed that to gain the highest total
of points, the varieties must be (chiefly) of the " high
quality " class, i.e. Muscats.

Or suppose we take the example as afforded in a
"Dessert Table Class," this is how we might expect to
find the pointing ; using the Royal Horticultural Society's
code :

Varieties Point Gained Max. Available

1 Grapes (white) . . 9 II

2 „ „ . . . 7i 9

3 „ (black) . 8J 9

4 » » • 8| 9

5 Apples . 7 7

6 Figs 5 7

7 Melon .... 8 - 8

8 „ . . . . 7J 8

9 Nectarines ... 7 8

10 6j 8

11 Peaches . • • 7i 8

12 „ .... 7 9

13 Pears . 6J 7

14 » 67

15 Plums 51 6

107 121

Flowers and Foliage 7 8

Blending of Colour . . 8J lo

General Arrangement . . 8J lo

Grand Total, 131 149

84 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

Each dish is pointed separately. Point sheets may be
filled in and exhibited by the side of each collection for
the satisfaction of the Exhibitors, and the education and
interest of the public.

QUANTITIES

Exhibitors should be particularly careful to see that
the fruits they stage are correctly named and true to
character. Unless they are, they will be disqualified,
or at least be liable to disqualification, no matter how
high their quality, as fruits, may be.

Local variations, due to climate and soil, are very
interesting, but they add to the difficulties of the judges.
As far as possible, the larger Societies ought to confine
their hardy fruit competitions to specified circumscribed
areas. If special county Classes cannot be instituted —
and of course special prizes cannot be offered to the
growers in every county — at least there should be some
limitations made, or the man in Northumberland or
Durham or Yorkshire may stand a very poor chance
of winning against a more fortunately placed Midlander
or Southerner. Special local district competitions, when
not too confined in their scope or sphere, are certainly
most fair to the entrants.

Fruits are shown in specially-made baskets and similar
receptacles, and on dishes (plates). But the word dish
also means any individual stand or receptacle, unless
when the sense is obviously meant otherwise. Unless
otherwise specified, a dish is held to consist of : —

6 Apples.
9 Apricots.
12 Bananas.
50 Cherries.

30 Currant bunches. Red
and White, or I pint
of Black Currants
(single berries.)

STAGING FRUITS, QUANTITIES, ETC. 85

30 Damsons, Prunes or
Bullaces.

9

30 Gooseberries.

I Melon.
6 Nectarines.
I Ib. Nuts.

6 Oranges.

6 Peaches.

I Pineapple.

9 Plums.

6 Pears.

50 Raspberries.

20 Strawberries.

%* The number of bunches of grapes are usually
specified in the schedule. If it is desired to have a
larger number of fruits to a dish, the amount ought to
be stated in the Schedule ; otherwise name the size of
the dish or basket, or employ the words — " Not more
than sixty fruits to a dish." "Small fruits" are fre-
quently shown in quantities of one pint.

CLASS SPECIFICATIONS

Precise and careful wording means a great deal, both
to the society issuing the schedule and to the exhibitor.
Following are examples that might safely be followed : —

A. A collection of sixteen dishes of ripe fruits, sixteen
distinct varieties ; not less than twelve kinds and not
more two varieties of a kind. Black and white grapes
to be distinct kinds of fruits, and two bunches of each
variety to be shown. The whole collection to occupy
a space 8ft. by 4ft. 6ins. (State amount of prizes
immediately after these conditions). One variety of fruit
only can be shown on a dish. (State whether the
collection must be decorated).

B. Collection of twelve dishes of fruits, twelve distinct
varieties ; not less than nine kinds, and not more than
two varieties of a kind. Black and white grapes to be
distinct kinds of fruits, and two bunches of each variety
to be shown. Pines excluded. The collection to
occupy a space 6ft. by 4ft. 6 ins. (State whether the
collection must be decorated).

86 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

C. Collection of twelve dishes of ripe fruits, grown in
an orchard house — not more than two distinct varieties
of one kind ; grapes excluded.

D. Four bunches of grapes, two bunches of a black
variety and two of a white variety.

E. One green-fleshed melon, to be judged by flavour.

F. Four dishes of dessert plums, distinct.

G. A collection of apples, twelve distinct varieties,
five fruits of each, ripe or unripe.

H. A collection of apples, grown in (here state the
county or district), distinct varieties, five fruits of each,
ripe or unripe.

/. Six dishes of dessert apples, six distinct varieties,
three fruits of each, all fit for table use.

J. Dish of forty dessert gooseberries, one variety.

K. Dish of forty cherries, one variety.

L. One pint each of (l) black currants; (2) white
currants; (3) black currants; (4) loganberries; (5)
raspberries.

*#* KINDS mean, as a rule, genera : e.g. Melons,
Pears, Figs, Peaches. VARIETIES are merely forms
of the foregoing, as Hero of Lockinge or British Queen
varieties of Melons ; Doyenne du Cornice and Louise
Bonne of Jersey varieties of Pears ; and so on.

SPECIAL OBSERVATIONS

When collections of fruits are desired to be decorated,
a note to the following effect ought to be appended
after the statement of the conditions of the class. Thus :
" Each collection must be decorated ; flowering or foliage
plants (in pots not exceeding 5 in. in diameter) ; also cut
flowers or foliage in glass or ware, or loose, allowed at
exhibitor's discretion." As a rule, cut flowers are used,
the most popular at summer shows being Francoa,
Chironia ixifera, and Montbretias, with Asparagus.

STAGING FRUITS, QUANTITIES, ETC. 87

State in the form of a note, or as a Rule, whether
Trade Cards will or will not be allowed on any of the
exhibits in the fruit classes.

When hardy fruits are intended, a footnote should be
added, specifying the Classes thus : " In Classes oo to
ooo (except classes o and ooo), the trees from which
the fruits are gathered must be permanently planted (not
plunged) in the open, and grown without any protection
other than a coped-wall or netting. The fruits may be
ripe or unripe except in Classes Nos. o and o."

Dessert tables, or tables for collections of fruits, vary
in size. There is no standard size. Each Society
makes its own specifications in the matter. At the
Autumn Show of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural
Society, the space allowed for a collection of sixteen
dishes of fruit, with decorations, is lo ft. x 4^ ft. ;
whereas at Shrewsbury Autumn Show the space
allotted for exactly the same collection is 8 ft. x 4J ft.
For a collection of twelve dishes and decorations at
Shewsbury, the space allowed is 6 ft. x 4^ ft.

The tabling for the staging of ordinary single dishes
may be 3 ft. to 4^ ft. broad, and of indefinite length.
A narrow raised staging, upon which table plants are
placed, is often in use along the centre at the smaller
exhibitions. This raised stage generally divides two
similar tables or stages, and furnishes a back to the
exhibits upon them and a break to the monotony of
regular dishes.

The dishes are usually supplied by the Society con-
ducting the exhibition. They need not exceed 15 ins.
in diameter if circular, or 19 by 15 ins. if rectangular.
Exhibitors supply their own grape-stands.

All fruit must be shown ripe (unless otherwise stated),
and correctly and legibly named.

Nurserymen's and market gardeners' competitive
exhibits are usually stated in terms of so much tabling,

88 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

no numbers or quantities of dishes being mentioned.
Thus, at the Royal Horticultural Society's great fruit
show, classes are provided for nurserymen and market-
men. One class is for 24 ft. run of 6 ft. tabling (the
fruits to be grown entirely out of doors). Another
class is for 1 6 ft. run of 6 ft. tabling, and there are
others for 18 ft. run, and 12 ft. run, each of 6 ft.
tabling. The collection of orchard house fruits and trees
is limited to an area 24 ft. by 6 ft. In these classes the
exhibitors can use either plates, baskets or boxes, and
can arrange their fruits as they choose. This allows
them to exercise skill and taste, and some remarkably
handsome displays have been seen. Sometimes the fruits,
usually apples, are arranged in tapering pyramids down
the centre, with smaller conical grouplets in the middle
or at the corners. Tiered wire or wicker stands, with
basins for the fruits, are sometimes employed, and
garlands of barberries, crab-fruits or nuts, etc., have been
utilised to add to the general effect.

DESSERT AND COOKING VARIETIES OF HARDY
FRUITS

The line of separation between dessert and culinary
varieties of fruits must necessarily be arbitrary, for so
much depends upon personal taste. This being so the
Royal Horticultural Society had lists drawn up for the
guidance of its judges, and these lists have been adopted
by the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, and are
recognised by a very large number of other Societies
that provide numerous classes for hardy fruits. The
varieties in the following lists are in no sense recom-
mended, they are merely classified for exhibition purposes
with the object of preventing disqualifications and of
securing uniformity of procedure : —

STAGING FRUITS, QUANTITIES, ETC. 89

APPLES

DESSERT

Adam's Pearmain.

Akera (or Okera).

Allen's Everlasting.

Allington Pippin.

American Mother.

Ashmead's Kernel, Im-
proved.

Autumn Pearmain.

Barchard's Seedling.

Barnack Beauty.

Baumann's Winter Reinette.

Beauty of Bath.

Belle de Boskoop.

Benoni.

Ben's Red.

Bess Pool.

Blenheim Orange.

Blue Pearmain.

Boston Russet.

Braddick's Nonpareil. .

Brownlees' Russet.

Caville Blanc.

Calville Rouge Precoce.

Cardinal (or Peter the
Great).

Charles Ross.

Christmas Pearmain.

Claygate Pearmain.

Cobham.

Cockle's Pippin.

Colonel Vaughan.

Coronation.

Cornish Aromatic.

COOKING

Albury Park Nonesuch.

Alfriston.

Annie Elizabeth.

Baron Wolseley.

Beauty of Kent.

Beauty of Stoke.

Bedfordshire Foundling.

Belle de Pontoise.

Betty Geeson.

Bielo Boradawka.

Bietigheimer Red.

Bismarck.

Bountiful.

Bow Hill Pippin.

Bramley's Seedling.

Byford Wonder.

Calville des Femmes,

Calville Malingre.

Calville Rouge.

Castle Major.

Cellini.

Chelmsford Wonder.

Crystal Palace (or Gold
Medal).

Cox's Pomona.

Diamond Jubilee.

Domino.

Duchess of Oldenburg.

Dumelow's Seedling, Wel-
lington, or Normanton
Wonder.

Dutch Codlin.

Early Julyan.

90 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

DESSERT

Cornish Gilliflower.
Court Pendu Plat.
Court of Wick.
Cox's Orange Pippin.
D'Arcy Spice.
Devonshire Quarrenden.
Duchess' Favourite.
Duke of Devonshire.
Dutch Mignonne.
Easter Orange.
Egremont Russet.
Fearn's Pippin.
Gabalva.

Galloway Pippin.
Gladstone.
Golden Reinette.
Gravenstein.
Herefordshire Pearmain.
Herefordshire Winter

Quoining.
Hitchin Pippin.
Houblon.

Hubbard's Pearmain.
Irish Peach.
James Grieve.
Joaneting (white).
Keddleston Pippin.
Kentish Pippin (or Colonel

Vaughan's).
Kerry Pippin.
King Harry.
King of the Pippins.
King of Tomkins County.
King's Acre Pippin.
Lady Sudeley.

COOKING

Early Rivers.

Ecklinville.

Edward VII.

Emneth Early (or Early
Victoria).

Emperor Alexander.

Forester.

Foster's Seedling.

Frogmore Prolific.

Galloway Pippin.

Gascoyne's Scarlet.

Gloria Mundi, or Belle
Dubois.

Golden Noble.

Golden Spire.

Gooseberry.

Gospatric.

Grange's Pearmain,

Grantonian.

Greenup's Pippin (York-
shire Beauty, or Coun-
sellor).

Grenadier.

Hambledon Deux Ans.

Hambling's Seedling.

Hawthornden, New.

Hector Macdonald.

Hoary Morning.

Hormead Pearmain.

Hollandbury.

Kent Fillbasket.

Keswick Codlin.

King's Acre Bountiful.

Lady Henniker.

Lane's Prince Albert.

STAGING FRUITS, QUANTITIES, ETC. 91

DESSFRT

Langley Pippin.
Lord Burghley.
Lord Hindlip.
Mabbott's Pearmain.
Mannington's Pearmain.
March Pippin.
Margaret (or Red

Juneating).
Margil.
May Queen.
Melon Apple.
Middle Green.
Mrs Phillimore.
Norman's Pippin.
Northern Spy.
Old Nonpareil.
Oslin.
Paroquet.

Pine Golden Pippin.
Prince Edward.
Quarrenden.
Red Astrachan.
Reinette de Canada.
Ribston Pippin.
Rival.

Rivers' Early Peach.
Rosemary Russet.
Ross Nonpareil.
Roundway Magnum

Bonum.
Ruddy.

Scarlet Nonpareil.
September Beauty.
Sturmer Pippin.
St Edmund's Pippin.

COOKING

Lord Derby.

Lord Grosvenor.

Lord Suffield.

Malster.

Manks Codlin.

Mere de Menage.

Mrs Barron.

Nancy Jackson.

Newton Wonder.

New Northern Greening.

Norfolk Beauty.

Northern Dumpling.

Ontario.

Peasgood's Nonesuch.

Potts' Seedling.

Rambour Papelen.

Royal Jubilee.

Royal Late Cooking.

Rymer.

Sandringham.

Sanspareil.

Schoolmaster.

Seaton House.

Small's Admirable.

Spencer's Favourite (or

Queen Caroline).
Stirling Castle.
Stone's (or Loddington).
Striped Beefing.
The Queen.
Thomas Rivers.
Tibbett's Pearmain.
Tower of Glamis.
Twenty Ounce.
Tyler's Kernel,

92 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

DESSERT

St Everard.
St Martin's.
Tamplin.
Venus Pippin.
Wealthy.
White Nonpareil.
White Transparent.
Williams' Favourite.
Winter Quarrenden.
Winter Ribston.
Worcester Pearmain.
Wyken Pippin.
Yellow Ingestrie.

COOKING

Wadhurst Pippin.
Wagener.

Waltham Abbey Seedling.
Warner's King.
Washington.
Winter Quoining (or
Queening).

PEARS

The following never rank for Exhibition as Dessert
Pears at R.H.S. Shows :—

Bellissime d'Hiver.

Beurre Clairgeau.

Black Worcester.

Catillac.

Directeur Alphand.

Double de Guerre.

Duchesse de Mouchy.

General Todleben.

Gilogil.

Grosse Calebasse.

Idaho.

DESSERT

Angelina Burdett.

Anna Spa'th.

Boulouf.

Coe's Golden Drop.

King Edward.

Morel.

Poire d'Auch.

Ramilies.

Summer Compote.

Triomphe de Jodoigne.

Uvedale's St Germain.

Verulam.

Vicar of Winkfield.

Winter Orange.

PLUMS

COOKING

Admiral.
Archduke.
Automne Compote.
Belgian Purple.

STAGING FRUITS, QUANTITIES, ETC. 93

DESSERT

Coe's Violet.

Count Althann's Gage.

Decaisne.

De Montfort.

Denniston's Superb.

Early Favourite.

Gages, all varieties.

Golden Esperen.

Ickworth Imperatrice.

Imperial de Milan.

Jefferson.

Late Orange.

Kirke's.

Oullins Golden.

Precoce de Tours.

Purple Gages, all varieties.

Reine Claude, all varieties.

St Etienne.

Transparent gages, all

varieties.
Washington.

COOKING

Belle de Louvain.

Belle de Septembre.

Cox's Emperor.

Curlew.

Czar.

Diamond.

Duke of Edinburgh.

Early Normandy.

Early Prolific.

Gisborne's.

Goliath.

Grand Duke.

Heron.

Imperatrice, Blue and

White.

Langley Bullace.
Late Rivers.
Magnum Bonum, Red and

White.
Mirabelle.
Mitchelson's.
Monarch.

Orleans, all varieties.
Pershore.
Pond's Seedling.
Prince Engelbert.
President.
Primate.

Prince of Wales.
Sultan.
Victoria.
Wyedale

CHAPTER VIII
VEGETABLES

SOME of the observations with respect to fruits, apply
equally to exhibits of vegetables. It should be
remembered that judges always search for faults.

Mixing large and small specimens in a dish weakens
the exhibit.

Specimens may be defaced by too hard scrubbing
when cleaning them, just as fruits are defaced when the
bloom is rubbed off. Exhibitors would be well advised
to use only a soft brush or a cloth, for washing
vegetables.

As general rules, if anything is so overgrown as to be
coarse, that is a fault ; or if anything is too small to be
useful, that is a fault. Quality, combined with a useful
size for culinary use, is of the utmost importance. All
vegetables ought to be fresh and clean, without scar or
blemish ; shown attractively, and should be clearly and
legibly named. Of course, for exhibition, size is a great
factor; but it must be combined with other essential merits.

Opinions differ so much as to the relative merits of
different kinds of vegetables that the following grouping
is scarcely likely to meet with universal approval. In
the first class may be placed Asparagus, Peas, Potatoes,
Cauliflowers and Broccoli, Celery, Onions and Seakale.
In the second group would come Brussels Sprouts,
Runner and Kidney Beans, Mushrooms, Carrots.
Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and Leeks. A third group may
include Broad Beans, Globe Artichokes, Parsnips,

94

VEGETABLES

95

Cabbages and Turnips. The fourth group would
consist of Savoys, Beet, Jerusalem Artichokes, Rhubarb
and Vegetable Marrows. A fifth grouping would serve
for Spinach, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallots, Red Cabbage,
Horse-radish, and Celeriac, and other unenumerated
vegetables.

Something should be allowed for the season of the
year when appraising vegetables, and also, in the case
of local Shows, something for soil and climate. Turnips
in August are, in my estimation, worth more than an
equally good bunch at the end of June or in November.
Parsnips are more valuable in November than in August.

Broccoli and Cauliflowers, for exhibition purposes, are
not regarded as distinct. They should not be shown
together in a collection.

Rhubarb ought to be shown by itself and not in
collections.

The numbers of each kind of vegetable that may be
staged in one " dish " (unless when a number is other-
wise specifically stated) are —

Artichokes, Jerusalem 12

Endive . . 3

Artichokes, Globe 4 or 6

Kale . . 3

Beet . . 6

Leeks . . 6

Beans, Runner and

Lettuces . . 3

Kidney — . 30 pods

Mushrooms . I Ib.

Brussels Sprouts 40

Onions . . 6 or 12

» »?

Parsnips . . 6

plants . . 3

Peas . . 30 pods

1 Broccoli . . 3

Potatoes . .12

Cabbages (cooking

Spinach . . I Ib.

and res) . 3

Savoys . . 3

Carrots . . 6

Turnips . . 6

Cucumbers . 2

Tomatoes . 6 or 12

Cauliflowers . 3

Vegetable Marrows 3

Celery . . 4

1 " Collections " usually contain 6 Broccolis or Cauliflowers.

96 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

As with fruits, so also again with vegetables, the word-
ing of the Classes in the Schedule should be definite.
The following may be taken as good examples : —

A. Display of vegetables, 1 8 " dishes," not less than
12 kinds and not more than 2 varieties of any kind.
The full number on a dish may not, by mere number,
outweigh quality on a smaller dish. Table space, 6 ft.
long by 4 ft. wide, will be allowed for each display.

%* Note that in these displays the word " dishes "
merely implies one of the subjects or items of the
exhibit. The various items or "dishes" are usually
placed on a bed of parsley, and neither plates or baskets
need necessarily be employed.

B. Collection of vegetables, 9 distinct kinds. Space
4 ft. 6 ins. by 4 ft.

C. Twelve kidney potatoes, one variety.

D. Peas, single dish, one variety.

E. Six turnips, yellow.

F. Three heads of celery.

G. Twelve spring-sown onions.
H. Twelve autumn-sown onions.

A Schedule should state, in the form of a note,
whether Trade Cards will be allowed on any of the
exhibits. It also is well to make a rule such as the
following : " No collection of vegetables to be staged
with a background higher than 3 feet from the table."
Exhibitors should be careful not to add more than the
number of specimens stated in the Schedule.

Exhibits are staged either in round, shallow hampers,
in dishes (plates), or upon the bare stages ; while, in
the case of the best exhibits of collections, boarding is
always used. There is no regulation requiring either
box or board at any show, so far as can be ascertained.
It was formerly a regulation at certain northern shows,
but has been abolished. According to Mr James Gibson
of Welbeck, the well-known prize-winner, " Exhibitors

VEGETABLES 97

simply take a few light boards, a saw, and a few nails,
and when they see the space allotted to them, they can
raise a background accordingly. Having a free hand in
the matter, they can use their own discretion, and so set
out their dishes to the greatest effect on the space
allotted."

A good deal of practice is necessary before one can
become proficient in the art of staging collections of
vegetables. Ten minutes' study of a well-arranged
group is better than reading pages of hints ; but these
observations may be useful. The Leeks or Celery are
usually placed at either side of the display, standing
perpendicularly. The Cauliflowers may be set between,
each one quite separate from its neighbour, in a pyramid
of Parsley. The Onions will occupy a slightly raised
place in the centre, with Carrots, Marrows, Parsnips, or
Potatoes on the outside. Peas, Tomatoes, and Dwarf
Beans will occupy the front. If Brussels Sprouts or
Cabbages are included, they will be set towards the
back.

VEGETABLES : MERITS AND FAULTS

Artichokes. — These must be solid, uniform, and of good
size, round, with fleshy, well-closed scales. Faults
are want of freshness, loose, tough scales.

Artichokes, Jerusalem. — Uniformity is a merit, the
opposite a defect. Skins clear, unspecked, without scar
or wart, and smooth. Defective tubers are those over-
grown, long, and thin, or with very deep eyes.

Asparagus. — Length of stalk, succulency, evenness,
and from one-half to three-quarters of an inch thickness,
are merits. Faults are represented by woodiness or
stringiness of the stalks, and loose, open scales.

Beet. — (See Tap-roots.)

Broccoli. — Heads of large or medium size, close

G

98 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

in the curd, white and clean, are meritorious. If
they are brown or yellowish and beginning to open,
defective.

Beans, Dwarf Kidney, and Runner. — Pods of good
size, fresh, green, even throughout, fleshy and brittle,
are good. Faults are toughness or stringiness, even
if large, or pods brown or pale in colour.

Beans, Broad and Long-pod. — Pods of moderate, even
size, well filled with large tender beans, and having
clear, unblemished skins, are meritorious. Faults are
badly filled pods, uneven form, dullness of colour and
blackened " eyes."

Brussels Sprouts. — In the case of plants, the stems
must be erect, stout, compactly covered with buttons
(sprouts) from the base to the crown, and all of a firm,
fresh, useable size. Medium-sized sprouts when firm
and green are best. Defects are looseness of the sprouts
and thinness upon the stems, or yellow colour and
splitting. Picked sprouts ought to be entirely uniform,
large, or medium-sized, firm, fresh, green, crisp.

Cabbages. — Hearts medium or large, firm, yet fresh
and tender-looking, with the surrounding leaves perfect,
are the best. Faults are coarseness, looseness, lack of
crispness, caterpillar-eaten leaves, or yellowish colouring.
Red cabbages ought to be large, uniform, firm, fresh, and
of good deep colour.

Cauliflowers. — (See Broccoli.)

Celery. — Those with thick, firm, crisp, clean, clear-
skinned, speckless, brittle, lengthy, and well-blanched
stems, showing no flower-stems when cut, and uniform,
are meritorious. Faults are want of freshness or lustre,
specks or rusty-looking marks, greenness, looseness,
thinness, and with flower stems visible.

Cucumbers. — The best are those of long or medium
size (15 ins.), perfectly even, deep green, firm, fresh,
tender, with short neck and the flower still adhering at

VEGETABLES 99

the apex. Old, tough, unshapely, irregular fruits, of a
pale or yellowish skin, and with long neck and nose,
are faulty.

Carrots. — (See Tap-roots.)

Eschallots. — There are two kinds, the cluster-growing
and the Russian red. Show the latter as single bulbs,
the other in clusters as grown. Uniformity in the
clusters and in the bulbs, with firmness and clearness
of skin, are merits. Unevenness and bad colour or
shrivelling are defects.

Endive. — Hearts stout, crisp, tender, and well-blanched.
Defects are coarseness, greenness, looseness.

Kale. — The plants must be stout and fresh, well
clothed, of good size, and succulent. Faults are
coarse leafage, lankiness, toughness.

Leeks. — Stems thick, uniform, blanched to the crown,
firm, clear, white-skinned and spotless are meritorious.
Defects are thinness, softness, discoloration, bulbous
base with tapering stems.

Lettuces, Cos, and Cabbage. — Heads firm, fresh, crisp,
with tender, juicy leaves and with no visible flower
stems are good. Faults are heads that are loose and
soft, with tough, lengthy leaves, or are bursting and
pushing a flower head.

Mushrooms. — Large or medium size, rounded, fresh,
firm, brittle when broken, with gills pink or pinkish
brown and edge unbroken, and the pileus or skin of a
clean biscuit or whitish colour, meritorious. Faults
are over size, flatness, with unclean skin and black
or very dark gills.

Onions. — The best are those of good even size, about
two Ibs. weight, firm, sound, and clean, with bright clear
skins and thin necks. Defective bulbs are large, thick-
necked, soft, and maggoty.

Peas. — Pods of good size, fresh, green, and well filled
with tender peas are meritorious. Defective ones are

ioo THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

those that are large and hollow, with hard seeds and
the skin of shell a dull colour or brown.

Parsnips. — (See Tap-roots.)

Potatoes. — Of medium size, even, regular in their
shape, with clear skin, quite free from specks or disease
and with shallow eyes, meritorious. Faults are deeply
sunken eyes, scab or blemishes on the skin, irregularity,
and over- or under-size.

Radishes. — These should be fresh, young, crisp, with
clear skins, and leaves close to the root, no flower stem
showing, Faults are over-size, sponginess, toughness.

Rhubarb. — Stalks straight, uniform, clear and bright-
skinned, fresh, meritorious. Faults are crooked or
irregular stalks, with hard, dry, rusty, or green skin.

Savoy. — (See Cabbage.)

Salsify and Scorzonera. — (See Tap-roots.)

Shallots.— (See Eschallots.)

Seakale. — An important vegetable. Points of merits
are stoutnsss, thorough blanching, pure, succulent stalks,
without blemish upon the skin, and no flower visible.
Size, solidity, and uniformity are other chief merits.
Faults are coarseness, toughness, with flower showing,
and light, thin stalks.

Spinach. — Substance in the fresh green leaves is a
great merit. They must be large and thick. Faults
are poor colour, flaccidity, small size, and thinness.

Tomatoes. — Usually shown as a vegetable. The fruits
should be medium-sized, firm, round, or oval, with a
richly coloured, perfectly clean, and clear bright skin.
No space, and as few seeds as possible, should show if a
longitudinal section is made. The flesh must be thick
and " meaty." Faults are coarseness from oversize,
softness, over-ripeness, disease, specks or any other
blemish ; corrugations in the form, irregularity, or
greenness.

Turnips. — Roots of medium-size, small rather than

VEGETABLES

very large, even, with smooth skin, and bright and
fresh. For exhibition purposes the rounded " bulbs "
are preferred, the final root being thin and tapering,
while the bulbous portion swells out smooth and round.
Faults are want of smoothness, irregularity and soft-
ness, or hollow centre.

Tap-roots (Beet, Carrots, Parsnips, Salsify, Scor-
zonera). — In all cases these should be smooth, clear,
tapering, uniform. Size is meritorious, more especially
in Carrots and Parsnips ; to a lesser extent in the others
named. In showing tap-roots be careful to preserve the
ultimate tip, however slender and long it may be.
Beet should show a rich deep purple colour, and be
fresh, not tough. Faults are crookedness, and cankered,
rusty, fangy roots.

Vegetable Marrows. — Medium or large fruits, perfectly
uniform, of regular, even shape, bright, clear, unblemished
skin, and tender enough to admit the thumb-nail without
much pressure, are meritorious. Marrows of Moore's
Cream type, when shown in collections, need not be
longer than nine or ten inches, and five to six inches in
diameter. Faults are irregular shape, ribs in the skin,
or wartiness, dull colour, and hard rind.

Herbs. — The bunches ought to be composed of fresh,
good clean leaves and stems. If brown, dry, mildewed,
or rusty, they are defective for exhibition. The plants
usually called " herbs" comprise Balm, Borage, Chervil,
Horehound, Fennel, Mint, Marjoram, Parsley, Rosemary,
Sage, Savory, Thyme, and Tarragon. Others of lesser
importance are Angelica, Basil (Bush and Sweet),
Burnet, Caraway, Chamomile, Chives, Coriander, Dill,
Hyssop, Pennyroyal, Purslane. Rue, Southernwood,
Tansy, and Wormwood.

CHAPTER IX
PROTESTS

"JUDGING the judges" is a favourite pursuit of
amateur and professional gardeners alike, at Horticultural
Shows. The gardener is only human, and when the
subjects of his consideration are those that he himself
has cultivated, it is pardonable if we find him unwilling,
at times, to accept an unfavourable verdict. The
angry competitor, like irate persons in many other
circumstances, does not always count the proverbial sixty
ere making a protest ; or if he does stay to count sixty,
he finds his chagrin to increase.

It is annoying to everybody concerned when mistakes
are made. Mistakes, like accidents, will happen. Be
the Schedule makers never so strict, some little mis-
construction in the wording of Classes may occur, or a
wrong interpretation may be drawn by a competitor.
Schedule-makers, therefore, cannot too carefully proceed
upon their task.

A second source of error is when a judge, or judges,
happens to overlook the exact stipulations of a Class and
makes awards to exhibits that ought properly to be
disqualified. In such a case, an unsuccessful Exhibitor
might well protest, for the facts would be in his
favour ; at least he could appeal to have a fresh
adjudication.

A third class of protests arises from individual
diosyncrasy. Without a show of reason at all, some
men will protest.
102

PROTESTS 103

In other cases, however, the judge's awards may be
palpably wrong, and in these cases it is not only fitting,
but imperative, in the interests of all concerned, that a
protest be lodged. Competitors must very carefully
weigh the facts before them ere taking action, and
indeed they are sometimes penalised if their action is
ultimately found to have been rash, precipitate, or
contumacious.

REGULATIONS

It will be sufficient to quote the regulations with
reference to protests, as published in the Schedules of
the Royal Horticultural Society of England, the Royal
Caledonian Horticultural Society, the Shropshire Horti-
cultural Society, and the National Sweet Pea Society.

(l) R.H.S. REGULATIONS

" As regards the relative merits of the exhibits, the
decision of the Judges is final ; but in case of any
objection to the interpretation of the wording of the
Schedule, no prize shall be paid until the matter under
dispute has been referred to the Committee of the Show
or other authority."

" Any protest or other objection must be made in
writing, and be handed to the Secretary of the Show."

" With the exception of an objection based upon alleged
fraud, every protest must be lodged within two hours
of the opening of the Show to the public."

(2) R.C.H.S. REGULATIONS

" Immediately the Hall is cleared the Judges will
proceed to make their awards. The decision of the
Judges is final, and they have special power to withhold
or modify Prizes where the exhibits are not worthy."

" Any protests must be lodged with the Secretary, in
writing, before 2 o'clock on the first day of each Show,

io4 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

and the decision of the Council on all matters arising
under this Schedule shall be final. Each protest must
state specifically the ground of objection, and be
accompanied by a deposit of los., which may be forfeited
in the event of the protest not being sustained. A
protest may be lodged by a member of Council (not an
Exhibitor) at any time without a deposit."

(3) S.H.S. REGULATIONS

" With the exception of an objection based upon
alleged Fraud, every protest must be lodged before
5 P.M. on the first day of the Show. Such protest
or other objection must be made in writing and handed
in at the Secretaries' Office, on the Show Ground."

(4) N.S.P.S. REGULATIONS

" The decision of the Judges will be final, except
in cases when, after any award is made, the exhibit is
not found in accordance with the requirements of the
schedule. All matters of protest, disqualification, etc.,
must be lodged with the Hon. Secretary, not later than
3 P.M. on the day of the exhibition, when they will be
dealt with by an Arbitration Committee whose judgment
will be decisive.

EXAMPLES

Examples are given hereunder of protests that were
of quite legitimate character : —

(i) In a Class for " 24 bunches of (hardy) cut flowers,
arranged for effect," an Exhibitor was disqualified because
his bunches were not tied. In the same Schedule, for
" 24 bunches of Sweet Peas," prizes were awarded to
untied bunches. The disqualified Exhibitor in the
former Class had here an excellent case for a protest, and
lodged it successfully.

PROTESTS 105

(2) At Edinburgh in a Class for " Two Marguerites,
white," it was found, after the judging was completed,
that the first prize set had three plants in each pot.
A protest was lodged, and on the matter being pointed
out to the prize-winner, he abandoned his claim to the
prize. The Society now asks for " pots " of whatever
the subject may be.

(3) On another occasion, first prize was awarded to
an Exhibitor of a dish of apples ; the latter, according to
the Schedule, were required to be from trees grown
wholly in the open, without any protection other than
coped wall or netting. A rival competitor protested,
and the Exhibitor to whom the prize had been awarded
had to acknowledge that his fruits were from trees
started indoors in pots and plunged outside. The
protest therefore was successful. In this case the
Society took the exceptional course of sending a deputa-
tion to interview the Exhibitor and report.

(4) In a Class for "4 vases of early-flowering Chry-
santhemums," the first prize was awarded to four vases
of ordinary November flowering varieties, of the exhibi-
tion type. A protest was lodged. The defence was
that, as the plants flowered in September (which was the
month in which the Show was held), they were "early
flowering." The protest, however, was sustained. The
wording of the Class has since been modified.

These several instances are but a few of many that
might be quoted. They mostly go to prove that lax
wording leads to misconceptions and errors, and they
allow a loophole for a certain class of competitors. Of
course the most perfect Schedule cannot prevent frauds,
or guarantee the integrity of the competitors ; but,
happily, the downright dishonest competitor is a variety
not often met with in these days.

INDEX

ACCOUNTS, 16.

Amateurs, 9.

Anemones, 31.

Annual General Meeting, 16.

Annuals, 31.

Antirrhinums, 32.

Apples, 72, 8 1, 84.

Cooking Varieties, 89.

Dessert Varieties, 89.

Apricots, 72, 8 1, 84.
Artichokes, Globe, 95, 97.

Jerusalem, 95, 97.

Asparagus, 97.
Asters, 33, 64.

BANANAS, 73, 81, 84.
Beans, Broad, 95, 98.

Dwarf, 95, 98.

Runner, 95, 98.

Beet, 95, 97, 100.
Berries, 79.
Blackberries, 73, 82.
Boards and Stands, 63.
Broccoli, 95, 97.
Brussels Sprouts, 95, 98.

CABBAGES, 95, 98.
Camellias, 34.
Carnations, 35, 64.
Carrots, 95, 98, 100.
Cauliflowers, 95, 98.
Celery, 95, 98.
Cherries, 73, 81, 84.
Chestnut, Sweet, 78.
Chrysanthemums, 37, 65.
Class Cards, 22.
Committee, 12.
Constitution and Rules, 8.

Cornwall Daffodil Society, 4.
Cottagers, 9.
Cucumbers, 95, 98.
Currants, 74, 82, 84.

DAFFODILS, 41, 66.
Dahlias, 42, 67.
Damsons, 82, 85.
Delphiniums, 46.
Dessert Table Class, 83.
Disputes, 28.
Disqualification, 26.
Duties of Officers, 13.

ELIGIBILITY, 20.
Endive, 95, 99.
Entrance Fees, 20.
Entries, 18.

Failure to fill, 21.

Eschallots, 99.

FIGS, 73, 8 1, 85.
Floricultural Societies, 4.
Forfeiture, 26.
Fruit Classes, 85.
Fruits, 72.

Drupaceous, 79.

Miscellaneous, 77.

Pointing, 81, 82, 83.

Pomaceous, 79.

Staging, 80.

GAILLARDIAS, 68.
Gladioli, 46.
Gooseberries, 74, 81, 85.
Grapes, 73, 81.
Pointing, 82, 83.

io8 THE BOOK OF THE FLOWER SHOW

HARDY Flowers, 47.
Herbs, 100.
Hollyhocks, 48.
Horticultural Societies, i.

JUDGES, 25.
Judging, 25.

KALE, 95, 99.

Kind and Variety, 12.

LABELLING Exhibits, 5.
Lectures and Demonstrations, 7.
Leeks, 95, 99.
Lettuces, 95, 99.
Loganberry, 78.
Loquat, 78.

MANAGEMENT, n.

Marigolds, 68.

Medlars, 78.

Melons, 75, 81, 85.

Membership, 9.

Midland Daffodil Society, 4, 42.

Monstera deliciosa, 78.

Mulberry, 78.

Mushrooms, 95, 99.

NAMING, 22.

National Carnation Society, 4, 64.

Chrysanthemum Society, 4,

n, 65.

Dahlia Society, 4, 67.

Potato Society, 4.

Rose Society, 4, 53, 70.

Sweet Pea Society, 4, 9, 10,

56, 70, 104.

Vegetable Society, 4.

Nectarines, 75, 81, 85.
New Plants and Flowers, 6.
Non-responsibility, 29.
Nuts, 76, 79, 82, 85.

OBJECTS of a Society, 9.
Officers, 10.
Onions, 95, 99.
Oranges, 76, 8 1, 85.

PANSIES, 49, 69.

Parsnips, 95, 100.

Passes, 22.

Peaches, 76, 81, 85.

Pears, 76, 81, 85, 92.

Peas, 95, 99.

Pelargoniums, 69.

Picotees, 50, 64.

Pineapples, 76, 81, 85.

Pinks, 69.

Plums and Gages, 76, 81, 85, 92.

Potatoes, 95, 100.

Press Notices, 7.

Prize Money, 30.

Protests, 28, 102.

Pyrethrums, 51.

QUINCE, 78.

RADISHES, 100.

Raspberries, 77, 82, 85.

Removal of Exhibits, 29.

Rhododendrons, 52.

Rhubarb, 95, 100.

Roses, 53, 70.

Royal Caledonian Horticultural

Society, 87, 103.
Horticultural Society, 4, 9,

42, 88, 103.
Rules, Alteration of, 17.

SALSIFY, 100.

Savoys, 95, 100.

Scorzonera, 100.

Seakale, 100.

Secretary, 13.

Show Regulations, 18.

Shrewsbury Fete, 2, 87, 104.

Side Attractions, 2.

Special General Meeting, 17.

Spinach, 95, 100.

Staging, 23.

Stocks, 70.

Stove and Greenhouse Flowers, 55.

Strawberries, 77, 81, 85.

Sweet Peas, 56, 70.

TAP-ROOTS, 100.

INDEX

109

Tomatoes, 77, 82, 95, 100.
Tulips, 58.
Turnips, 95, 100.

VEGETABLE Classes, 96.

Marrows, 95, 100.

Vegetables, 94.

Relative Merits of, 94.

Vegetables, Staging, 96.
Violas, 60, 71.
Violets, 61.

WALNUTS, 78, 82.
Wineberry, 78.

ZINNIAS, 71.

PLANTS CULTIVATED
WITH

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-n LONDON^

" LIVE TO BE
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O' THE TIME" (Shakespeare)

It produces all Flowers, Foliage, Fruits, and Vegetables in pro-
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horticultural purposes.

Every Exhibit Grown with CLAY'S FERTILIZER
CATCHES the JUDGE'S EYE ... -

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