Now you have arrived at one of the more serious steps of Hobbit Courting. Most hobbits are very skilled on this subject. So that means that you will have to have at least some skill with this. 

These are two important subjects to hobbits; 

Cooking and Gardening.

How are you supposed to be a good spouse when you can't tell the difference between a carrot and a tomato? You need to know how long they need to grow. Where the best place for them to grow is. And how much water they need.

And that is only the beginning. 

You can show your suitor/consort (both need to show this to each other) that they have skills at gardening by growing their own garden. This can either be a garden filled with flowers or one filled with vegetables. It is really up to you.

It would be a perfect match if both of you were skilled in a different area. Can you just imagine what you garden would be like? Filled with the most beautiful flowers and the most delicious vegatables.

It would be even better if you had competed in one of the Flower Contests or Annual Vegatablerama's. Winning the third place is already a highly respectable title amongst hobbits. No one would turn you down once you have that under your name.

An abandoned or forgotten garden is highly frowned upon amongst hobbits. How can you accept guests when your garden looks like that? It is simply not done. 

When your specialty isn't with flowers, then this may be a good time to learn more about their meaning. I will tell you more about this in another episode. Just mind yourself that it is coming. You should do a bit of studying right now!

When you are not happy with your consorts'/suitor' garden then you may make your feelings known. You can do this by simply telling them or sticking your nose in the air when you walk past their house.

And then maybe the most important part of the two; Cooking.

Everyone knows that hobbits can eat quite a lot. So as their suitor or consort you need to be able to cook big meals. It takes some coördination and time-managing. But you should be able to do it. 

For example; Bilbo likes to start his day with boiled eggs, three pieces of bread with jam, a mug of milk, some honey flavoured cookies and a nice piece of apple pie. Two hours later you are eating again. 

So you better be prepared.

Both suitor and consort need to be able to do this. That is the main difference between hobbit and dwarf courting; the suitor and consort both need to do their share during the courtship. 

There is a test to see if you are up to the task. The first day is the suitor' chance to show you his skills. He or she will be cooking for you all day long. If you ever feel hungry or you have to wait at some point, means that the suitor has failed. 

The same goes for the consort on the second day. Your other half should never feel hungry or forgotten because you weren't done on time. 

And of course you can't burn the food. Don't be surprised when a hobbit might start crying when you present him a burned dish. 

What else could you expect?

You have exactly one week after the last step to prepare and evaluate each other's gardens. If one of the two doesn't make it then the courtship is officially over. It is simply not done amongst hobbits to have a messy garden. 

If you have been able to impress your suitor/consort then you may preceed to the cooking. This also should happen very rapidly. 

The suitor will cook the day after the last of your gardens has been evaluated. The consort will cook the day after. 

As you can see, it would be wise to plan ahead and get everything so you don't have to do it all at the last second.