XI EXHIBITING 223 



a sufficient quantity of their best blooms into the 

 tubes, leave all that for the place of exhibition. A 

 beginner, however, had better wire and set up his 

 best Koses at once as he cuts them, taking others for 

 spares and arranging them all afresh at the show. 



Wiring the blooms, like all mechanical operations, 

 should be learnt by watching an old hand ; it is a 

 very different business, with the improved supports 

 now available, from what it used to be when we had 

 to tie the stems in two or three places to a small 

 stick or simple straight wire. 



A beginner should label each bloom as he brings it 

 in, and it will always save time even with those who 

 know the Eoses well. The printed labels look nice 

 — at first — and are convenient if you can always 

 keep them arranged so as to find at once the one you 

 want. But they very soon get dirty, especially if 

 not removed before the home journeys, and many 

 find the writing each name in pencil on blank labels 

 as required the shortest and most handy in the end. 

 But please write plainly. 



In cutting the day before a show, the state of the 

 weather must be considered. If a very long journey 

 and a hot night are in store, allowance must be made 

 for rather more than one day's age in the Eose ; but 

 for a short journey and a cool night, some of the 

 fullest Eoses and those with the thickest petals may 

 be cut almost as it is hoped to show them. Nothing 

 but experience can aid the judgment in this case. 

 If there is plenty of choice take another bloom of the 

 same variety not so far advanced ; and three times 

 out of four the younger bloom will be found the 

 best when the time comes. 



Most Eoses are at their best when about three- 



