XI EXHIBITING 199 



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-quarters 

 open, but some will stand the full exposure of their 

 charms, and thin-petalled sorts should be shown when 

 not more than half open. It is a good plan to tie up 

 the petals of such sorts to prevent their opening too 

 quickly, and most of the pointed varieties are safer if 

 thus tied. 



Soft German wool should be used, and the outer row 

 of petals being left free, the point or spike of the bloom 

 should be firmly tied round sufficiently low to prevent 

 its slipping. The form of knot should be the first half 

 of an ordinary knot, only with two turns instead of one : 

 an inch or two of ends should be left, and then the 

 advantages are, that though the knot will not slip it can 

 ahvays be tightened by pulling the ends, and is very 

 readily removed. At the place of show it will often be 

 advisable, if the bloom upon examination seems hardly 

 trustworthy, to tie it up again and only remove it at the 

 last moment. 



Teas are much more lasting when cut than H.P.s 

 especially if they be really good blooms of first-class 

 sorts. On one occasion I showed a specimen of Com- 

 tesse de Nadaillac at three separate shows ; on the 

 first occasion it won the distinction as best Tea, on 

 the second the medal as best Rose, and the stand in 

 which it was exhibited won first prize at the third show. 

 On another occasion I showed twelve Teas unsuccess- 

 fully at one show : the same blooms with the exception 

 of two or three were shown two days later at another 

 place where the competition was quite as severe, and 



