ROSES— DRESSING FOR EXHIBITION. 109 



once more to avoid errors, and keep a sharp look-out against duplicates. Tilt the box 

 at the back with a small flower-pot or block of wood ; and if there is still time to 

 spare, though only a few minutes, before the judges' arrival, replace the lids and slightly 

 block them open. Do not remove the wool from the centre of thin-petalled roses until 

 the last ; although, if in doubt about their lasting, it is well to remove it for a few 

 minutes previously to deciding upon their retention in the competing box, afterwards 

 replacing the tie. 



Dressing the flowers is now much practised, and is allowable where the object is 

 simply to assist a petal to 

 a more symmetrical posi- 

 tion. A large camel-hair 

 brush or pencil, with a 

 short ivory handle much re- 

 sembling a budding knife, 

 are good for this. Dressing 

 cannot be taught on paper, 

 and the beginner must gain 

 object lessons from older 

 exhibitors. Only compara- 

 tively few blooms can be 

 improved by dressing, and 

 the tyro is warned against 

 over - indulgence in the 

 practice, which would, or 

 should, disqualify. 



A "bloom" or "truss" 

 of a rose are synonymous 

 terms, as applied to exhibiting. A rose without buds, or a bloom surrounded with 

 buds and foliage as cut from the tree, are eligible ; but there must be no addition of 

 any kind. A treble consists of three _.blooms or trusses of the same variety, which in 

 judging count as one. With the exception of wire or other support to keep the 

 blooms upright, any other artificial aid will disqualify. 



A few varieties produce better flowers upon maidens, or the first growths from 

 the bud, than from cut-back or established plants. Horace Vernet, Dr. Sewell, 



Fig. 55. Tea Kose Souvenir d'Elise Vaedon. (See page 103.) 

 (Kindly supplied by the proprietor of the "Garden.") 



