XI EXHIBITING 225 
Saturday. It was kept for three days in a dark and 
nearly air-tight cellar, and for two days more in 
another cellar with a little light. A few drops of 
spirit of camphor were added to the water in which 
it stood, but I am doubtful if this has much good 
effect. I think the equable temperature of a dry 
cellar has a good effect in preserving the blooms, but 
they will probably lose colour. 
If rain is feared, and efficient protection is not to 
be had, the Teas should be cut in good time, even 
though the buds are hardly opened enough. It may 
be noticed that Maréchal Niel improves in colour 
after being cut, and a really fine bloom may often 
be better the second or even the third day, if it be 
dry when gathered, and can be shown on a cool 
day. 
If the boxes remain at home during the night 
it is best, especially if the Roses are not dry, to give 
some air by propping up the lids a little way, so as 
to exclude chance trespassers in the way of cats and 
the like. Still this admits of the entry of slugs or 
earwigs, and as we should think little of keeping the 
boxes entirely close through a night’s journey, it is 
not necessary. The lids should be securely fastened 
when they are shut down for travelling, care having 
been taken that the Roses are sufficiently low in the 
tubes to prevent the roofs of the lids touching them; 
but only those perfect persons, who never even in 
a hurry leave their keys at home, should use locks. 
Railway porters are now becoming used to the 
sight of Rose-boxes, and recognise that ‘“‘ something 
belongs to” the careful handling of them, to use a 
Suffolk expression. But personal supervision at all 
times when they are moved is still very desirable, 
Q 
