386 



THE GARDENER. 



[Sept. 



sun scorches, just before a show, many Roses may be advantageously 

 shaded by having a zinc cap placed over them 8 inches in diameter, 

 5 inches in depth, ventilated, and having a socket attached, which 

 may be moved up and down a stake fixed by the Rose-tree until the 

 cap is secured in its position by a wooden wedge inserted between 

 socket and stake, as under. Roses of a more delicate complexion than 



others — such as Mesdames Vidot 

 and Rivers, the two Louises 

 Magnan and Pejronney, Miss 

 Ingram and Monsieur Noman — • 

 and some whose vivid colouring 

 is quickly tarnished by fiery suns 

 — such as the brilliant Monsieur 

 Boncenne — may be thus preserv- 

 ed for exhibition. Fresh Cabbage- 

 leaves, renewed from time to 

 time, may be advantageously 

 placed on the caps, which, I may 

 add, have a more pleasing appear- 

 ance in the rosarium when paint- 

 ed a dark-green colour. 

 Helmet No. 2 resembles No. 1, except that the top is made of 

 glass and is flat. This is used to accelerate the opening of Roses, 

 and sometimes with success ; but generally I have found that nature 

 will not be hurried, and the Rose has been more refractory than the 

 heat. 



In using these caps — and their use, be it remembered, is exceptional 

 — ^the amateur must be on his guard against placing them too near the 

 Rose, lest, when moved by the wind, the petals should be injured by 

 trituration. And not only in this instance, but in all, he must so 

 watch his trees as to prevent all risk of that contact and chafing which 

 quickly ruins the Rose. Watching the flower as it sways to and fro 

 in the summer breeze, he must remove all leaves and shoots which, 

 touching it, would mar its beauty. 



Watchful ever, our young knight must keep his stricter vigil upon 

 the battle's eve. He must know that all is in readiness, the extent of 

 his resources, and how he is to apply them. The day before a show, 

 I have not only the names of my best Roses noted in my pocket-book, 

 but, dividing a sheet of paper into 48, 36, 24, 12, or 6 spaces, I 

 place each Rose in the position which it will probably occupy on the 

 morrow, and set my forces in battle array. Here is an example, copied 

 literatim : — 



