228 THE BOOK OF THE ROSE chap. 



till the last minute will sometimes present for judg- 

 ment fine-shaped perfect blooms which two or three 

 hours later have opened and lost their form and 

 beauty. It may be a matter of regret that this can 

 be done, but some risk is run, and ingenuity and 

 boldness, provided that all is fair, should have their 

 chance of reward. 



Some blooms will be found hardly more than 

 buds, and these will require a little assistance to 

 make them open further. The National Eose Society 

 was quite right in framing rules against " dressing" 

 when this took the form of forcibly bending down 

 the outer petals by creasing them. This gives quite 

 a different appearance and shape to the Eose. Yet 

 a little assistance, by removing short malformed or 

 discoloured outer petals, and by gently pressing 

 back at the base the next row, is a legitimate 

 accessory of the art of exhibiting. 



The handle of a budding knife was the instrument 

 formerly used for opening a bloom, and I have seen 

 a pencil do wonders in experienced hands ; still a 

 camel's-hair pencil of fair size is the best thing to 

 use, for it is soft and does no injury to the petals 

 and may be utilised for the removal of specks of 

 dirt, aphides, or thrips. Work patiently away at 

 the outer row of petals only, without creasing 

 them down : it is no use meddling much with the 

 inner rows, except by a sharp puff or two from 

 the lips, which will sometimes improve matters 

 somewhat. 



Some sorts cannot be opened at a show — Eejaiolds 

 Hole, for instance ; however much the petals be 

 pressed back, nothing short of creasing or mechanical 

 obstruction will prevent them from closing up again. 



