166 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



and dew, and to shade others from the fierce heat of the sun's 

 rays, which, if allowed to beat down on some varieties of roses, 

 would bleach them and spoil their colour irretrievably. The 

 shades are placed well above the buds, so that, while they provide 

 ample protection, the flowers may not be deprived altogether of 

 light and air. 



Another practice is to tie the bud round its centre with 

 white double Berlin wool. The purpose here is to keep the heart 

 of the bud sound and compact, and to prevent it from premature 

 expansion. It also serves to preserve the colour of the inside 

 petals an important point when the judges come to inspect 

 the blooms. A further picture indicates the method adopted 

 by the expert grower to produce an elongated bud. For this 

 purpose he ties a piece of white paper round the bud in the shape 

 of a cylinder not too tightly, but sufficiently firmly to ensure 

 that the apex of the bud shall extend outwards. 



The intending exhibitor must get up very early in the morning 

 of the day on which he intends to show. This applies especially 

 in cases where the blooms have to be taken not too long a journey. 

 His early rising will be necessary so that he may cut his flowers 

 before the sun has begun to affect them. Whatever he does, let 

 him not cut a fully-developed rose, however beautiful it may be. 

 Roses that are three-quarter or even half opened are the best. 

 If they have been tied up with wool, as suggested, they will expand 

 during the few hours that elapse between the cutting and the 

 moment of judging. Another essential point to keep in mind is 

 that the newly-cut blooms should be placed in water the moment 

 they are removed from the tree. If this be neglected the pores 

 of the stem close up, and even if the blooms be placed in water 

 later they cannot benefit to the full extent. If, however, the rule 

 has been observed, and a rose be seen to be flagging, the base of 

 the stem may be cut again with a sharp knife and the water 

 changed. Where a long journey is necessary, and roses have to 

 be cut the night before the show, this should be done in the late 

 evening. The blooms should be placed in water to which a little 

 ice has been added, and then consigned to a cool cellar or dark 



