XI EXHIBITING 223 
a sufficient quantity of their best blooms into the 
tubes, leave all that for the place of exhibition. A 
beginner, however, had better wire and set up his 
best Roses at once as he cuts them, taking others for 
spares and arranging them all afresh at the show. 
Wiring the blooms, like all mechanical operations, 
should be learnt by watching an old hand; it is a 
very different business, with the improved supports 
now available, from what it used to be when we had 
to tie the stems in two or three places to a small 
stick or simple straight wire. 
A beginner should label each bloom as he brings it 
in, and it will always save time even with those who 
know the Roses well. The printed labels look nice 
—at first—and are convenient if you can always 
keep them arranged so as to find at once the one you 
want. But they very soon get dirty, especially if 
not removed before the home journeys, and many 
find the writing each name in pencil on blank labels 
as required the shortest and most handy in the end. 
But please write plainly. 
In cutting the day before a show, the state of the 
weather must be considered. If a very long journey 
and a hot night are in store, allowance must be made 
for rather more than one day’s age in the Rose; but 
for a short journey and a cool night, some of the 
fullest Roses and those with the thickest petals may 
be cut almost as it is hoped to show them. Nothing 
but experience can aid the judgment in this case. 
If there is plenty of choice take another bloom of the 
same variety not so far advanced; and three times 
out of four the younger bloom will be found the 
best when the time comes. 
Most Roses are at their best when about three- 
