246 A BOOK ABOUT ROSES 



it is new, or because it has some one point of excellence, 

 being defective in others — e.g. a Rose ill formed 

 because it is brilliant in colour, or a dull coarse bloom 

 on account of its size. The judge will be down upon 

 that invalid swiftly and surely, as a fox upon a sick 

 partridge. 



Nor place two Roses together which are both de- 

 ficient in foliage. Give to each of them the rather 

 a neighbour whose abundant and flowing curls may 

 partially conceal their baldness. But add no leaves, 

 though the temptation be great, because that same 

 judge is quick as a barber to distinguish between 

 natural and artificial hair, and there may be * wigs 

 on the green ' — ix. you may find your surreptitious 

 foliage lying upon the moss, and a card, with ' Dis- 

 qualified ' written upon it, staring you in the face. 



Step back from time to time, as the artist from his 

 easel, to criticise your picture, and try to improve it. 

 And when you have finished it, invite others to give 

 their opinions freely. Try to ascertain which Roses 

 they like the least, rather than to feast your ears with 

 their exclamations of praise. You will obtain help 

 sometimes where you least expected, and your atten- 

 tion will be called to defects which you had overlooked 

 in a kind of parental fondness. Spectators, unpre- 

 judiced and not akin, can readily point out infirmities 

 in the families of other folks. They do not pronounce, 



