206 THE BOOK OP THE ROSE chap. 



retained as garden Eoses, only those which in colour, 

 habit, growth, or freedom of bloom are superior or 

 very different from those already known. Yet most of 

 the modern failures are probably much better than 

 the old-fashioned garden Eoses which still have 

 their worshippers, thus proving that sentiment and 

 affection rather than merit cause them to be still 

 recognised. 



This is very likely as it should be : it is well to 

 see those old Eoses of forty years ago, if only to 

 realise and be thankful for what we have gained : 

 the grand H.P.s and Teas of the present day have 

 certainly no cause to be jealous of the old favourites, 

 or to dread comparison with them ; and the most 

 inveterate exhibitor will rejoice that the Eoses 

 which so charmed our fathers are still loved and 

 admired by some. 



It will be found that more or less serious objec- 

 tions may be urged against all exhibitions, where a 

 " fancy " or fashion decrees arbitrary points in the 

 things exhibited apart from their useful qualities. 

 Thus it has been said of dog shows that breeds 

 notorious for their service for sporting or other 

 purposes are not judged or awarded prizes for their 

 useful qualities, but for fashionable points of colour 

 and shape. And it is also alleged that certain varieties 

 of poultry have deteriorated because they have been 

 judged by their feathers and other useless points to 

 the detriment of their capabilities of furnishing 

 plenty of good eggs and chickens. 



On the other hand, fewer complaints are made 

 against shows of fat or dairy cattle, because there is 

 no " fancy " here, and the animals are usually judged 

 according to their market value for use. And if it 



