ROSES— EXHIBITING. 



Hp 



) 



Do not use locks and keys. The lock may get broken in transit, or the key lost or 

 left behind. A great deal of annoyance is often caused by locks getting out of order. 

 A stout strap around the twelve-size box, and one at each end of the others, is ample 

 and perfectly safe, with the addition of the corner stays already alluded to, if drawn tight. 

 Some means of ventilation must be provided, and the best plan is to have holes at the 

 sides or back of the lids, fastening some perforated zinc inside of these. 



Tubes and funnels are needed. The illustration, Eig. 53, shows the form most 

 generally used by members of the National Kose Society. These are cheap, durable, 

 and efficient. Mr. Foster, Ashford, Kent, is the patentee, but any nurseryman or 

 seedsman can supply them. In addition to the funnel (a) and tube (b) figured, we 

 also want a third tube (c) into which [b) can be dropped. 

 The tube (c) should be just sufficiently large to take (b) 

 easily, and should have a foot formed of zinc, about 1\ 

 inches square. The object of this will be seen when fixing 

 the tube (c) into the boxes. 



In fitting up these, tack three strips of thin wood length- 

 wise to the bottom of the box, and then slip one of the 

 corners of (c) under each strip. Place the tubes four in 

 a row for twelve blooms, six in a row for eighteen, and 

 eight in a row for twenty-four. This is speaking of 

 arrangements for single blooms. When fitting the boxes 

 for trebles, or three blooms of any one variety, four strips 

 of wood will be needed, and the tubes arranged triangularly, 



two of the three blooms of any one sort being in the back row. Now fill in between 

 the tubes with shavings or any light material, and on the top of this place the very 

 freshest and greenest moss procurable. Sprinkle this well, and the evaporation will 

 keep both the moss and roses cool. Once the rose is fixed as will be desired in the 

 funnel (a) and tube (b), it can be readily transferred from any of the stationary tubes 

 (<?), which will always be in their proper positions. Use hard water for the tubes 

 (b) where procurable, and always have them filled. 



There are several ways of supporting the flower stalk where not of a sufficiently 

 stout nature to stand up well and show to the best advantage. Slip the upper 

 part of the wire support (d) around the stem of the bloom, and fasten the stem 

 with the thin wire. If the bottom of the flower stem drops into the ring halfway 

 VOL. II. p 



Fig. 53. Foster's Eose-Holdbe 

 (reduced) . 



References. — a, funnel ; b, tube ; 

 c, receptacle for b ; d, spring. 



