232 THE BOOK OF THE ROSE ohap. 



is all very well for such as can afford it, but few 

 can : and it is to be remembered that the judges 

 will not let their own personal predilections have 

 any weight in deciding on the merits of each 

 Eose. 



Judging. — Nothing is more surprising to ex- 

 hibitors of dogs, poultry, &c., than to hear that at 

 all National Eose Shows the judges are appointed 

 from those who are actually exhibiting at that very 

 show. Of course no one judges in the class in 

 which his own stands are, and as a matter of fact 

 probably no exhibitor would have it otherwise than 

 it is. Many judges are required at a large show, 

 and even with much subdivision they have often as 

 much or more than they can do to get through their 

 task in the hour : and besides this, eyes thoroughly 

 accustomed to the appearance of Eoses as shown 

 are required to recognise the different varieties, and 

 note subtle distinctions of merit. A year or two's 

 absence from Eoses and Eose shows would probably 

 seriously impair a man's efficiency as a judge. 



Judging is performed by the rules of the National 

 Eose Society according to the form, size, and 

 brightness of each bloom, which should be at the 

 time " in its most perfect phase of possible beauty." 

 A general survey of the class should first be taken, 

 for it may be that the case is clear and beyond a 

 doubt. Where the stands are of large numbers — 

 thirty-six and upwards — there should be another 

 survey a little way off to judge better by comparison, 

 and to give at all events an idea of which stands 

 are "out of it," and which seem to be more nearly 

 equal. 



Those stands about which there is any doubt 



