200 THE BODK OF THE ROSE chap. 



to a large show, with stands of thirty-six and twent}'- 

 four. He found one rival only of any note, but he was 

 Mr. X. and to beat him just then required the best 

 amateur Roses in the kingdom. My man returned with 

 two seconds, saying triumphantly, " I ran Mr. X. close : 

 for he came and looked at me five times." I could not 

 help repl}dng, " If you had followed his tactics and gone 

 and looked at him, you might very likely have got first 

 for the twenty-four." By dividing his forces my man 

 was beaten in both classes : the expert hand came and 

 looked so often to satisfy himself there was no concen- 

 tration of strength requiiing a similar move on his 

 part. 



No personal fancies, or likes and dislikes of certain 

 Roses, should be entertained by the man who wishes to 

 be successful. Some have an antipathy to the appear- 

 ance of the striped Pride of Reigate : and I have heard 

 " Oh, I don't like that rose " of such sorts as Marguerite 

 de St. Amand and Souvenir d'un Ami. It is all very 

 well for such as can afford it, but few can : and it is to 

 be remembered that the judges will not let their own 

 personal predilections have any weight in deciding on 

 the merits of each Rose. 



Judging. — Nothing is more surprising to exhibitors 

 of dogs, poultry, &c., than to hear that at all National 

 Rose Shows the judges are appointed from those who are 

 actually exhibiting at that very show. Of course, no one 

 judges in the class in which his own stands are, and as 

 a matter of fact probably no exhibitor would have it 

 otherwise than it is. Many judges are required at a 

 large show, and even with much subdivision they have 

 often as much or more than they can do to get through 

 their task in the hour : and besides this, eyes thoroughly 

 accustomed to the appearance of Roses as shown are 



