.1869.] THE ROSE. .393. 



Give to eacli of them the rather a neighbour like Madame Boll, whose 

 abundant and flowing curls may partially conceal their baldness. But 

 add no leaves, though the temptation be great, because that same judge 

 is quick as a barber to distinguish between natural and artificial hair, 

 and there may be " wigs on the green" — i.e., you may find your sur- 

 reptitious foliage lying upon the Moss, and a card, with " Disqualified " 

 written upon it, staring you in the face. 



Step back from time to time, as the artist from his easel, to criticise 

 your picture, and try to improve it. And when you have finished 

 it, invite others to give their opinions freely. Try to ascertain 

 which Roses they like the least, rather than to feast your ears with 

 their exclamations of praise. You will obtain help sometimes where 

 you least expect it, and your attention will be called to defects which 

 you had overlooked in a kind of parental fondness. Spectators, un- 

 prejudiced and not akin, can readily point out infirmities in the 

 families of other folks. They do not pronounce, as you do, the red 

 hair of your dear little Augustus a soft chestnut or a rich auburn j they 

 have been known, on the contrary, to murmur "Carrots." 



Have the sticks which hold the cards which tell the name of your 

 Eoses in their places before you put on the lids. If you are showing 

 in the larger classes, it is wise to make this arrangement when you 

 insert the flowers ; otherwise, forgetting names, you may run a risk of 

 including duplicates. Moreover, you will find the process of naming 

 your Roses after your arrival at the show a tedious occupation of 

 time which might be much more advantageously occupied. 



Have your lids on before the sun is high, and be on the show- 

 ground as early as you can. You will thus have the advantage of 

 selecting a good place for your boxes, not exposed to draught or to 

 glare ; of replacing from your spare blooms those Roses which have 

 suffered from the voyage ; of setting each flower and each card in its 

 position ; of filling up the tubes with fresh water; and of making the 

 best of your Roses generally, leisurely, and at your ease. 



This done, you may put back your lids, just raising them at the 

 front a couple of inches with wooden props ; and then you may survey 

 (as I propose to do in my final chapter) the exhibitors, the judges, 

 and the Rose-show itself. 



S. Reynolds Hole. 



— s->^^fjfe«^t.«-~ 



