252 A BOOK ABOUT ROSES. 



there is peril from fire or water — when fierce 

 suns come suddenly forth, or when those first 

 large drops, which have been poetically termed 

 '' tears of the tempest weeping for the havoc to 

 follow," give warning of the storm. Many a 

 grand Rose have I saved by promptly acting upon 

 this admonition, and have come indoors with my 

 heart rejoicing under its moist merino waistcoat. 



Helmet No. 2 resembles No. i, except that 

 the top is made of glass and is flat. This is used 

 to accelerate the opening of Roses, and sometimes 

 with success ; but generally 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 



