JUNE. 169 



hand. My own Roses last year at the National, though the refuse of 

 the first bloom, were in as good condition as any in the show, and 

 were travelled seven miles in a vehicle without springs, and 107 by a 

 shaking second-class train, on 6-inch stalks, and showed not the 

 slightest change as to form and colour, so far as I could see. 



The way that they were carried was this : — Around each Rose a 

 French Ivy-leaf was pinned to keep it together, and three or four 

 Roses were tied close together, up to their blooms, and put into the 

 tin cups, which, being filled with stalks, the water could not splash 

 out so well. If the train stops long enough, replenish with water ; for 

 this you must have a long-spouted tin cup ; a shilling will soon produce 

 the water. What chance can a Rose have in a second-class train 

 without some such appliances, when it is to compete against a Rose 

 cut the same morning ? None but tight Roses, such as Paul Ricaut, 

 Bachmeteff, Dupuy, Leon, Rebecca, and Ravel, can ride it out. If the 

 Rose is a little gone over (and many at the National last year were 

 much gone over, even in prize lots), these hints may enable you to 

 convey it. I think condition last year was not attended to enough, and 

 that size and match bore down symmetry, elegance, and colour. Size 

 and similarity of sizes, ought not, for one moment, to defeat Roses of 

 different sizes (where the difference of size arises from their nature), 

 if the smaller are good in other respects. I am sure that, unless 

 more time is allowed the judges, or more judges appointed to adju- 

 dicate on different classes, it is impossible that they can judge each 

 Rosejiw se. They can but have bare time to cast an eye over the 

 whole mass, and award the prize to the largest, best matched, and 

 most blazing Roses. This may obtain with the public, but it will 

 never do so with amateurs, who have critical eyes and refined tastes. 

 Let us hope, then, that more time will be allowed the judges, and 

 more judges appointed, and that they will have nerve to undeceive the 

 public by correcting this gross taste for everything large without 

 reference to other qualifications. What Roses can be more beautiful 

 or worthy of a show-box than Mesdames Place, Phelip, Lamoriciere, 

 and the Emperor Napoleon ? Admire Madame Domage and Baronne 

 Prevost, but still appreciate these, and put them into the same box, 

 although no match in size. Look at Madame Place, and you will 

 break forth in admiration — 



" She comes ! make way, my people, stand reverently aside, 

 She comes ! the gentle traveller, in purity and pride ; 



Shower welcomes on her, 



To show befitting honour, 

 And give her love and homage from hearts and kindling eyes, 

 And believe her and receive her with a thousand sympathies." 



With regard to the gems at the National, I shall be surprised if 

 Due de Cambridge, Patrizzi, and Gloire de Lyons, are not in front of 

 the novelties. Perhaps Palmerston, Francis Arago, and Francis I., 

 may " star it." Virginale, pure white, H.P., is said to be good. 

 Among Bourbon novelties, I will back (if they are shown) Dr. Berthet 

 and Monsieur Jard. 



Finally, the bud worm was never more busy, and it must be picked. 



