244 -"^ BOOK ABOUT ROSES. 



under stages or in vineries. Some years ago I placed a 

 lining of zinc, 3 inches deep, at the top of one of my Rose- 

 boxes, filled it with earth, and soon obtained from it a 

 charming surface of S. apoda. The effect of twelve beauti- 

 ful Roses resting upon this bright-green moss was lovely ; 

 but oh ! the weight when we bore them to the show ; no 

 mother in all the world would care to carry such a bulky 

 babe. 



A wee story about moss, and we leave it. I remember 

 an exhibitor, of whom it was said that he was never known 

 to pay a compliment, or to praise anything which did not 

 belong to himself, except upon one occasion. Having won 

 the first prize for Roses, he went in the joy of his heart to 

 his chief rival, and surveying his collection, deliberately and 

 frankly said, "Well, John, I must acknowledge you cer- 

 tainly beat us— in moss." As well might some victorious 

 jockey compliment the rider of a distanced horse upon the 

 plaiting of that horse's mane. It was a panegyric as glori- 

 ous as that which Artemus Ward paid to his company, com- 

 posed exclusively of commanders - in - chief, " What we 

 particly excel in is resting muskits — we can rest muskits 

 with anybody," 



The Roses are placed in tubes of zinc 4| inches in 



