248 A BOOK ABOUT ROSES. 



rally I have found that nature will not be hurried, and the 

 Rose has been more refractory than the heat. 



In using these caps — and their use, be it remembered, is 

 exceptional — the amateur must be on his guard against 

 placing them too near the Rose, lest, when moved by the 

 wind, the petals should be injured by trituration. And not 

 only in this instance, but in all, he must so watch his trees 

 as to prevent all risk of that contact and chafing which 

 quickly ruins the Rose. Watching the flower as it sways 

 to and fro in the summer breeze, he must remove all leaves 

 and shoots which, touching it, would mar its beauty. 



Watchful ever, our young knight must keep his stricter 

 vigil upon the battle's eve. He must know that all is in 

 readiness, the extent of his resources, and how he is to 

 apply them. The day before a show, I have not only the 

 names of my best Roses noted in my pocket-book, but, 

 dividing a sheet of paper into 48, 36, 24, 12, or 6 spaces, 

 I place each Rose in the position which it will probably 

 occupy on the morrow, and set my forces in battle array. 

 Here is an example, copied litcrativi : — 



