118 EXHIBITING. 



sturdy shoots, it is wiser to remove buds when the one 

 you wish to retain is advanced in size. But here ag^ain 

 is a point to be considered. A grower has many shows 

 to attend, and does not want all his buds to be in the 

 same stage of growth, so that they all flower at the 

 same time. What is he to do? Well, try and keep 

 buds in different stages of growth on all trees, and 

 disbud earlier or later, as the season or shows require. 



Many varieties, like ** La France," will put out a 

 great number of shoots the moment disbudding is 

 started. These will have to be stopped early, for if 

 allowed to grow too strong before removal the sudden 

 check of sap will harm the root growth. By stopping 

 such, early, strong, and forward shoots growing up 

 from the bottom of the tree and giving a fine second 

 bloom will be secured. Experience is the best adviser, 

 for, although many trees seldom vary in their habits, 

 it must be admitted that a large number do so, accord- 

 ing to the soil and situation, and last, but not least, 

 the varying seasons for which our native land is so 

 noted. 



It is the ambition of every true Rosarian to grow 

 Roses of the average high standard of excellence that 

 is to-day found exhibited at the best of our shows ; and, 

 having grown them, if there is any honest pride or true 

 sporting instinct in the grower, it becomes the earnest 

 desire of such to exhibit in competition with others of a 

 like temperament. 



Now, since there are degrees of excellence, as 

 might very naturally be expected, ambition leads one 

 to aspire to the very topmost pinnacle of fame, and to 

 attain the highest triumph of culture which the '* Queen 

 of Flowers " is capable of producing. To achieve this 

 end, the grower has much to consider, and oft-times 

 likes and dislikes have to be laid aside, and he has to 

 how to the ideas of the Rose world, and, to a certain 

 extent, conform to an ofttime hackneyed standard and 

 opinion. Nevertheless, the best Rose that has been 

 showm is always open to be excelled by a better, and 



