Two ROSE SHOWS. 137 



passed through. It may be said that this influence was 

 local, and local I believe it was in the intensity of its 

 effects, but it was, if I mistake not, general in so far as 

 the effect produced on the quality of the flowers. I have 

 said, and say again, that the Crystal Palace is not a place 

 in which to show plants and flowers to advantage, nor 

 one in which to keep them in the highest state of fresh- 

 ness throughout a long summer's day. There is too 

 much light, too much heat, and the magnificent surround- 

 ings lessen rather than add to the importance and effect 

 of the Exhibition. Why does not the Company erect 

 in its beautiful gardens canvas tents, the best of all 

 contrivances for displaying plants and flowers to advan- 

 tage? Let us hope to see this done at no distant future ; 

 and if the tents could be connected with their own Rose 

 garden the interior of the temple filled with Pot Roses 

 and pyramidal bouquets of cut Roses in vases the 

 Crystal Palace Company might safely count on making 

 this not only the best Rose show, but one of the most 

 interesting floral fetes of the year. 



As the clock struck twelve I took up my position at 

 the entrance, note-book in hand, and, sore trial of patience 

 though it was, stuck to the ropes for four long hours, by 

 which time I had brought the last flowers under view. 

 Willingly would I have moved faster, but to go with the 

 stream and see, or diverge and not see, were the only 

 alternatives. I preferred the former course, and having 

 fairly carried it out, will now give my readers the benefit, 

 if benefit it be, of the following extracts from my note- 

 book, relating of course to new or little known roses only. 



Madame Josephine Guyet, crimson, much in the way 

 of Senateur Vaisse, large, full, and of tolerable form ; 

 apparently good, but not indispensable. 



Xavier Olibo, blackish crimson, shaded with amaranth ; 

 pleasing in colour when it does not burn, but irregular in 

 shape ; pretty, but much over-praised. 



Marie Baumann, bright carmine, the flowers large, 



