THE ROSE GARDEN. 141 



But the flowers are arranged, and what is to be done with them dining the 

 interval that must elapse ere they depart for the scene of competition ? Shall 

 the lids be placed on the boxes, and the flowers be kept closed from the air ? By 

 no means. Seek as cool a place as possible, where there is no draft, and where 

 the light is not too strong. There place them till the time of departure. So 

 necessary do many exhibitors consider it that the flowers should not be wholly 

 closed from the air, that they have several holes made in the ends of their box- 

 lids with a small augur. This I have found, by experience, a capital contrivance 

 to admit the dust ; and if these holes are made use of, they should be stopped with 

 corks when travelling on a dusty road. 



But besides the flowers of Roses, the plants are now exhibited grown in pots ; 

 and it remains for us to say something of them. The advantages gained by their 

 introduction are, that the characters and habit of the variety are shewn. Cut- 

 roses create a great display, but Pot-roses afford us more extensive information. 

 We may propose to ourselves, while viewing them, these questions : — What is the 

 habit of the variety ? Is it a free bloomer, or otherwise ? Is it a good trusser ? a 

 summer or autumn bloomer ? These questions cannot be answered by presenting 

 a mere flower, or bunches of flowers ; but the introduction of Pot-roses offers the 

 means of a ready solution. In cultivating these for exhibition, it is necessary to 

 grow at least double the number required to be shewn. This is no overdrawn 

 calculation, as all who have had any experience in the matter will testify. There 

 is no difficulty in flowering every plant, but there is a difficulty in bringing them 

 to perfection by a given time. Remember, the Rose is one of the most ephemeral 

 of flowers, and the day of exhibition is a fixed one. These facts, however, should 

 deter no one from growing for exhibition, for they affect all exhibitors alike : all 

 fight on equal ground ; and the greater the difficulties to contend with, the 

 greater is the triumph when achieved. For exhibition-plants we should recom- 

 mend most kinds to be grown on their own roots. Although with such the cul- 

 tivator will not be able to appear in the field at so early a date, yet he may ulti- 

 mately attain to a more distinguished position. Certain kinds will not last long 

 in health when budded : superior skill and great attention may bring them to a 

 high pitch of beauty ; but despite of every after care they canker and fall into a 

 state of retrogression. 



The principal shows near the Metropolis are in May, June, and July ; and to 

 be enabled to shew in each month the plants must be divided into three lots. 

 Those intended for the May exhibition must be grown in a green-house or frame 

 with bottom-heat. It is my practice to select a good portion of the Tea-scented 

 and other tender Roses for the first show, because they cannot remain out of doors 

 during winter, and they improve under this particular culture. They should be 

 pruned early in November, and taken into the house or frame immediately, giving 

 plenty of air, but keeping the frost out. By the end of February a gentle heat 

 may be started, and increased as is found necessary to bring them in flower in 

 proper time. 



