228 THE BOOK OF THE ROSE CHAP. 
till the last minute will sometimes present for judg- 
ment fine-shaped perfect blooms which two or three 
hours later have opened and lost their form and 
beauty. It may be a matter of regret that this can 
be done, but some risk is run, and ingenuity and 
boldness, provided that all is fair, should have their 
chance of reward. 
Some blooms will be found hardly more than 
buds, and these will require a little assistance to 
make them open further. The National Rose Society 
was quite right in framing rules against ‘“‘ dressing” 
when this took the form of forcibly bending down 
the outer petals by creasing them. This gives quite 
a different appearance and shape to the Rose. Yet 
a little assistance, by removing short malformed or 
discoloured outer petals, and by gently pressing 
back at the base the next row, is a legitimate 
accessory of the art of exhibiting. 
The handle of a budding knife was the instrument 
formerly used for opening a bloom, and I have seen 
a pencil do wonders in experienced hands; still a 
camel’s-hair pencil of fair size is the best thing to 
use, for it is soft and does no injury to the petals 
and may be utilised for the removal of specks of 
dirt, aphides, or thrips. Work patiently away at 
the outer row of petals only, without creasing 
them down: it is no use meddling much with the 
inner rows, except by a sharp puff or two from 
the lips, which will sometimes improve matters 
somewhat. 
Some sorts cannot be opened at a show—Reynolds 
Hole, for instance; however much the petals be 
pressed back, nothing short of creasing or mechanical 
obstruction will prevent them from closing up again. 
