THE ROSE GARDEN. 143 



can be seen. Now it is evident, that by leaving the back of a plant bare, a greater 

 display can be made with the same material ; as of course the flowers which 

 would have been needed there are brought into full sight. Yet a skilful judge 

 will surely detect the false show ; and if the round plants are in other respects 

 nearly equal, we opine he would give his decision in their favour. Be this as it 

 may, a perfect plant must yield its possessor a greater pleasure and more solid 

 satisfaction than an imperfect one. 



These remarks bring us to the period of exhibition. If the distance be great, 

 the plants should be packed for travelling the day before. All is bustle and 

 anxiety. A light spring-van is the best vehicle for their conveyance, the space in 

 which, from twelve to eighteen large plants will fully occupy. The surface of 

 the soil of the pots should be covered with nice green moss, which, if the plants 

 have stems, may rise in the centre in the form of a cone. Each flower-bud must 

 have a stick to support it during the journey, — unless the variety produce its 

 flowers in trusses, when a stick to a truss is sufficient, — but should not be tied so 

 tight as to prevent an easy motion. If the flowers are single, soft tissue paper 

 should be drawn closely round them without compression : if produced in trusses, 

 wadding may be placed among them, to support and prevent them from bruising 

 each other. In packing, each plant should stand clear of the other, and all free 

 from contact with the sides of the van. Between the pots, moss or sawdust 

 should be tightly pressed, at least half their depth, to keep them from shifting. A 

 light tilt must go over the van, to exclude sun, rain, or dust, the last of which, 

 by the bye, it is not always easy to do. But all is ready, and there is nothing 

 like being at the place of exhibition in time. A careful person ought to accom- 

 pany them, as the pace at which they travel should be a steady walking one. 

 Attention, John ! From home to the place of exhibition, all depends on you. 

 You must neither trot, gallop, nor canter. If you do, the consequences will be 

 disastrous. Put your horse to his easiest walking pace, having reckoned up 

 beforehand the time he will require for the journey. Having arrived early, you 

 will find the tents only partially occupied ; but the place for Roses, as for other 

 objects, is already assigned. The north side of the tent is the best ; indeed, for 

 Roses as cool and shady a place as possible should be apportioned, as perfect 

 flowers will wither in a few hours in a sunny or hot position. In proceeding to 

 set up the plants, it is well to calculate the elevation at which they shew best ; 

 to which raise them by means of blocks of wood, of different thicknesses, about the 

 diameter of the bottom of the pots. The sticks used as supports in travelling 

 should be withdrawn. When the plants are all nicely adjusted, each should have 

 the name placed to it in a position where easily seen, written in a bold legible 

 hand, or done in the Egyptian style with Indian ink. At the grand Metropolitan 

 exhibitions visitors are often so numerous that many cannot approach the objects 

 exhibited : for their information, then, this is particularly desirable. All is now 

 finished, and we await the decision of the judges, viewing the productions of our 



