Evening star., 1952-08-17
Pointers for Exhibitors
For Share of the Flower Show Ribbons
Certain Established Rules Must Be Followed
By w. H. Younsmon
Garden Editor


Garden
Every exhibitor, beginner or ex-
perienced. wants to win a blue
ribbon. Regardless Of the size Of
the show. the exhibitor should fol-
low a few simple rules so that his
entries will have the best chance
of winning. 1t does not make any
difference whether the exhibitor is
carrying in a single rose bloom.
or Is dahlias. or baSketful of
vegetables. The entries should be
put in such a condition or arrange
ment that they will conform to the
rules of the show and make the
best appearance possible.
All entries-fiower, fruit or veg
etable-should be harvested at the
best stage possible. In flowers this
usually refers to the best stage
of Towering. Glads should be
brought in and hardened of while
the lowest floret is in top con-
dition. Then if several florets
open before the show, that is ideal.
Not more than the lower floret
may be removed because that
would be going past prime con-
dition. A rose bloom should be
between one-half and three
quarter open at the time of judg-
ing. thus it should be cut and
hardened off while only a third
open.
Harvest at Prime Stage.
Vegetables should be harvested
at the prime eating stage. No
Judge should give vegetables that
are over ripe. tough. or Stringy.
any consideration when placing
them. A cucumber that is over
ripe will usually show signs OF
yellowing. The over ripe squash
has a tough hide and should be
disqualified.
Avoid entering dirty or weather.
damaged flowers, fruits or veg
etables. They look bad to the
visitor and the judge will try to
pick a better looking entry to put
the ribbon on. If the dirt may
be removed by brushing, so much
the better. Washing usually leaves
it's mark, but that, of course. is
not as bad as the dirt.
Never use an oily rag in clean
ing I'D exhibits. It gives an ap- |
pearance that is too artificial and
most judges will disqualify such
entries.
Observe the number Of entries
asked for. If the entry blank
calls for six blooms or specimens,
that means six. not five or seven.
Most judges eliminate all entries
that vary from the number called
for in the schedule.
Match Entries.
If the schedule provides for
more than one specimen in q
class-three blooms, five pota-
toes, or three glasses. then make
every effort to see that they are
as nearly matched as possible.
Uniformity Of specimens in the
entry is highly desirable.
Avoid entering flowers, fruits,
or vegetables that show disease,
spray or mechanical injury. The
visitor expects to see exhibits as
near perfect as the gardener can
achieve under normal growing
conditions. A rose that has had
a chunk taken out Of it by a rose
chafer Is hardly exhibit material.
The same may be said Of q sun
scalded potato or a tomato show
ing bad cracks. In other words,
examine the fruits Of the garden
and select those free from defects.
Wipe of the spray or dust from
the exhibits and leave at home
those that show bud or disease
injury.
In order that exhibits will be
In good condition at show time,
treat them In such a way that
they will stand up. In the case Of
many flowers this means cutting
them the night before the show
and placing them in a deep con-
telner filled with cold water. Do
not wet the petals, but make Ger
tain the leaves and stem are well
covered. This insures the flower
being well supplied with moisture
and firm so that it will hold UP
during a two or three day show.
Remove Tops.
Root crops should have the tops
removed about one inch above the
root, so that the root itself will
stay firm. Leafy vegetables are
the hardest to handle, and are
best pulled just before entering.
Garry them to the show wrapped
In a moist cloth and covered with
oil paper, so they will not wilt. Or.
pull the evening before the show
and place in the vegetable pan in
the refrigerator overnight. Which
Of these two methods will work
best will depend on the day. Also,
some shows permit bringing in
potted lettuce. chard, ETC., but the
schedule should announce that
TACT and not permit both potted
and cut plants to compete against
each other. i
If the show schedule specifies
disbudded flowers. such as roses,
dahlias. peonies, etc., the disbud-
ding should be done early enough
IN the season 30 that noticeable
stubs are not apparent. Certainly