2S0 A BOOK ABOUT ROSES. 



presence and purity should be profane in his sight, as 

 though he lied to an angel. But his duty will be his delight 

 also, and thus, having his inclination at unity with his con- 

 science, and his love instructed by his reason, he cannot 

 fail to fulfil it. Knowing the law thoroughly, and sifting 

 the evidence minutely, he must give the sentence of a 

 righteous judge. Never tiring, when the competition is 

 close, in his keen and patient scrutiny, estimating every 

 Rose by a fixed standard, setting down in his note-book, 

 counting, comparing their respective marks of merit and 

 defect, bringing the boxes, if distant, into close proximity, 

 anxiously attentive to the comments of his colleagues, be- 

 stowing the same care upon the " cottager's 6 " as upon the 

 " nurseryman's 72," he is never satisfied until all doubts are 

 dispelled, and the award of his lips is the sure conviction of 

 his heart. 



As the judge enters, the exhibitor leaves, the show, first 

 turning to gaze once again upon the exquisite beauty of the 

 scene, the long avenues of Roses, the fairest examples which 

 the world can bring of its most lovely flower. The flat 

 surface of the boxes is pleasingly diversified (or should be) 

 by the stately palm, the graceful fern, the elegant Humea, 

 by Croton, Caladium, Dracaena, Coleus, and the like, which 



