ROSE GROWING FOR EXHIBITION 155 



ance of growing a few stocks annually for budding. The 

 stocks are planted in spring in rows three feet apart, 

 the plants being about ten inches apart in the rows. 

 They need good cultivation ; that is to say, the land 

 must be deeply dug and manured, and hoeing carried 

 out frequently. The stocks are budded early in August. 

 Half-standard briers are planted in November, twelve 

 inches apart, in rows three feet wide ; budding is carried 

 out in July. 



When the blooms are ready for the show there are 

 several points of importance to remember. I have 

 seen the best blooms simply spoilt by careless manipula- 

 tion. A day or so before the show day the blooms 

 must be tied. This applies chiefly to the rather thin 

 roses. Very double blooms, like Bessie Brown, may not 

 need it until the day of the show. The bud, when 

 almost fully grown, should be tied with a piece of double 

 Berlin wool. It must not be knotted, but given just 

 a double twist. The outer rows of petals are not tied, 

 but merely the heart of the bloom ; in some cases the 

 tie must be loosened to allow the bloom to develop. 

 Care should be taken not to tie when the blooms are 

 damp. As a rule, a bloom must not be tied for more 

 than three days. 



Shades are very necessary to the exhibitor. These 

 may be in the form of straw hats, umbrellas, and other 

 devices, but the best are the cone shades made with 

 wire and canvas and attached to a stake ; they are sold 

 by most horticultural sundriesmen. They may be 

 adjusted to suit roses at varying heights. To preserve 



