XI EXHIBITING 225 



Saturday. It was kept for three days in a dark and 

 nearly air-tight cellar, and for two days more in 

 another cellar with a little light. A few drops of 

 spirit of camphor were added to the water in which 

 it stood, but I am doubtful if this has much good 

 effect. I think the equable temperature of a dry 

 cellar has a good effect in preserving the blooms, but 

 they will probably lose colour. 



If rain is feared, and ef&cient protection is not to 

 be had, the Teas should be cut in good time, even 

 though the buds are hardly opened enough. It may 

 be noticed that Mar^chal Niel improves in colour 

 after being cut, and a really fine bloom may often 

 be better the second or even the third day, if it be 

 dry when gathered, and can be shown on a cool 

 day. 



If the boxes remain at home during the night 

 it is best, especially if the Roses are not dry, to give 

 some air by propping up the lids a little way, so as 

 to exclude chance trespassers in the way of cats and 

 the like. Still this admits of the entry of slugs or 

 earwigs, and as we should think little of keeping the 

 boxes entirely close through a night's journey, it is 

 not necessary. The lids should be securely fastened 

 when they are shut down for travelling, care having 

 been taken that the Eoses are sufficiently low in the 

 tubes to prevent the roofs of the lids touching them; 

 but only those perfect persons, who never even in 

 a hurry leave their keys at home, should use locks. 



Eailway porters are now becoming used to the 

 sight of Eose-boxes, and recognise that " something 

 belongs to " the careful handling of them, to use a 

 Suffolk expression. But personal supervision at all 

 times when they are moved is still very desirable, 



Q 



