120 EXHIBITING. 



of the judge. You may as well show a Brussels 

 Sprout in the same class as a cabbage, and expect an 

 equal chance of success. Yet, judged on merits and 

 possibilities, my Rose was the winner; and in part I 

 was satisfied, especially as one judge decided in its 

 favour. 



I mention this case to emphasise the fact that, 

 although the classes are now more clearly defined, yet 

 certain varietieg must naturally command a preference, 

 and unless the grower produces something abnormal 

 in the best of a variety, Roses still below the medium 

 size do not count when in competition with the giants 

 of their class, no matter what their colour or shape. I 

 will give you a good illustration in each class. Com- 

 pare '' The Hon. Edith Gifford " with " White Maman 

 Cochet " in the Teas: or "La France " with "Mildred 

 Grant" and "William Shean " in the H.T.s; or 

 "Grand Mogul" with "Mrs. John Laing " and 

 " Frau Karl Druschki " in the H.P.s. What chance 

 have they got unless they are, as I have said, ab- 

 normally above the best? No; 3'ou may grow the 

 Roses of your heart's selection, but vou must also in- 

 clude many you like less if you would conquer in t^e 

 fray and win the highest awards. But to our old re- 

 frain. A Rose is but a Rose, in spite of all the decisions 

 that iudges may pass, and we love them all. and, as far 

 as w^e are able, we will secure the best of each variety, 

 and then the finest of its class, and challenge our 

 neighbours to show a better. 



Oh ! how I fought to wnn a N.R.S. medal for " La 

 France," my favourite Rose, but never have succeeded. 

 I have shown boxes of twelve in the open, and have 

 even beaten a twelve of " Mildred Grant," shown by 

 one of our largest trade growers at a big show, but 

 yet I have always been a point behind on a single 

 bloom. But in Rose-growing you never know your 

 own luck, and perhaps one day a tree will throw up a 

 shoot that will produce the perfect giant that shall 

 carry you to victory, or a David equally perfect, that 

 shall excel over all the giants of your adversaries. 



