232 A BOOK ABOUT ROSES 



a grand Rose have I saved by promptly acting upon 

 this admonition, and have come indoors with my 

 heart rejoicing under its moist merino waistcoat. 



Helmet No. 2 resembles No. i, except that the top 

 is made of glass and is flat. This is used to accelerate 

 the opening of Roses, and sometimes with success ; but 

 generally I have found that nature will not be hurried, 

 and the Rose has been more refractory than the heat. 



In using these caps — and their use, be it re- 

 membered, is exceptional — the amateur must be on 

 his guard against placing them too near the Rose, 

 lest, when moved by the wind, the petals should be 

 injured by trituration. And not only in this instance, 

 but in all, he must so watch his trees as to prevent all 

 risk of that contact and chafing which quickly ruins 

 the Rose. Watching the flower as it sways to and fro 

 in the summer breeze, he must remove all leaves and 

 shoots which touching it would mar its beauty. 



Watchful ever, our young knight must keep his stricter 

 vigil upon the battle's eve. He must know that all is 

 in readiness, the extent of his resources, and how he is 

 to apply them. The day before a show, I have not 

 only the names of my best Roses noted in my pocket- 

 book, but, ruling upon a sheet of paper 48, 36, 24, 12, or 

 6 spaces, I place each Rose in the position which it will 

 probably occupy on the morrow, and set my forces in 

 battle array. Here is an example, copied literatim: — 



