XI EXHIBITING 221 



think, the superior staying power of modern Eoses, 

 have considerably modified this view. If the show 

 is within driving distance one would naturally cut 

 in the morning ; but very small advantage, if any, 

 must be expected over those who have come from a 

 greater distance and had to cut over-night. 



I used often to get up to cut very early in the 

 morning, an hour or more before the mowers made 

 their appearance in the neighbouring hayfield, but 

 have long ago come to the conclusion that unless 

 one can cut after six o'clock in the morning it is 

 even better to do it the evening before. 



I soon noticed that [about six o'clock a change 

 came over the Eoses, every one taking, so to speak, 

 his day's step forward, and that many fine lasting 

 blooms altered and aged as much in half-an-hour 

 about that time, whether cut or not, as they would 

 in the whole of the long summer day to follow. So, 

 if it is possible to cut after that hour and yet be in 

 time, we may be glad to do so, and can choose 

 blooms a stage in advance of those we should have 

 cut over-night. But I believe it to be just as well, 

 and perhaps better as getting them in safety before 

 a chance shower, to cut at from four to seven o'clock 

 the evening before, rather than at four or five o'clock 

 in the morning. 



Begin in good time : it is better to start at two 

 or three o'clock in the afternoon, with the boxes in 

 deep shade, than to be hurried at the last. There 

 are several H.P.S too, Horace Vernet and Le Havre 

 for instance, which shut up their petals towards 

 night, and though they will open all right next day 

 it is difficult to choose the best specimens when they 

 are closed. 



