July 11, 1889, ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
15 
E OSE time is a pleasant time to many, but a busy, even a 
bustling time, to some, and Rose shows are great events in 
-the floral world, in which thousands of persons are interested. 
'They are looked forward to and prepared for months in advance ; 
:and, apart from the beauty of the displays, the occasions afford 
pleasant opportunities for the meeting of friends who strive to 
•excel each other in the production of the Queen of Summer. 
'Moreover, Rose shows as a rule are the most popular of floral 
exhibitions; but there are exceptions, and in some provincial 
downs visitors do not crowd into the halls and tents in anything 
like the numbers that the managers desire, and which, considering 
the labour gratuitously given, they are justified in expecting. 
Time appears to be required for arousing public interest even in 
the Rose, but when once the spirit of enthusiasm is awakened it 
spreads rapidly and does not quickly subside. 
If the appetite grows with what it feeds upon in anything it is 
on Roses. Persons there are, and not a few, who have tasted of 
the pleasures which Roses afford in childhood, and have continued 
feasting on their charms to manhood and old age. They work 
amongst them and for them unceasingly, with a zeal that seems 
untiring. This devotion to a flower so pure, brilliant, and sweet, 
and one that so well requites all the care bestowed on its production 
when that which is uncontrollable—the weather—is favourable to 
its development, is admirable. But even the impediments which 
have to be contended against in this respect are not altogether to be 
•deplored. The earnest man rather rejoices in a difficulty for the 
pleasure of surmounting it, and there are various obstacles in con¬ 
nection with the growing and showing of Roses ; but no matter of 
what nature, nor how great they may be, the blooms come when 
fhe time comes for them. They may be dashed by the rains one 
year, and scorched by the sun another. The show fixtures may be 
too early or too late, but in some way and from somewhere the 
Roses come and the prizes go. There is never a total collapse in 
the aggregate, but many personal failures, the precursors perhaps 
of future triumphs. Hope seems always existent in a rosarian’s 
breast. He may be in “ bad form ” this year, but looks cheer¬ 
fully to the next for the smiles of fortune on his efforts, and 
lie wins them sooner or later if he proceeds on sound lines per- 
severingly. 
Rose time is a pleasant time when the sun shines not too 
brightly, but an anxious and an arduous time to those who engage 
in the contests. It means work with little intermission ; days of 
activity with nights of travel; a rushing to and fro, always moving, 
never resting, and it may be when an opportunity for repose comes 
all the beds are taken. An instance may be cited. One of the 
great exhibitors of the year and a notable prizewinner arrived in 
London, proceeding to an hotel in Fleet Street, which has been 
mentioned before in the Journal — Anderton’s. Though well 
known there he was told with many regrets he could not be accom¬ 
modated. He drove to the great building at Charing Cross, but it 
was full. Eastwards he rushed to Cannon Street, but the same 
fate awaited him. On he went to the Manchester, only to be 
disappointed. He would try Liverpool Street, still he met again 
with the familiar response, “ No room, sir.” “ But you must find 
room, I must have a room if I give a sovereign for it.” “ You 
cannot have one if you give five.” Thus he sought for shelter in 
No. 472. —Vol. XIX., Third Series. 
the great city, spending 5s. or 6s. in cab fares driving to and fro, 
and it was not till a railway inspector took pity on him that he 
could see an end to his trouble by being taken into the inspector’s 
office to enjoy the luxury of sleeping in a chair. 
Rose time, too, is literally a pressing time to another class of 
individuals who have something to do with the shows—men of the 
fourth estate—-the press. Early and private views are commonly 
accorded for aiding them in their duties, and but for them the 
public could not have what they need—good and accurate reports. 
It may be thought easy to take the names and jot down the 
characters of the flowers, and it is not difficult when reasonable 
facilities are accorded, but to do this in a surging, jostling crowd— 
a seething mass of sightseers craning their necks and forcing their 
way to a front place, and then struggling to keep it—is a most diffi¬ 
cult and invidious task. Such was the state of things we are 
credibly informed at the Crystal Palace on Saturday last. A fine 
show, perhaps as good as any that the National Rose Society 
have held at Sydenham, was robbed of the interest it should have 
had for rosarians by the extraordinary arrangements which 
governed it. As a rule shows are open for private inspection from 
11 A.M., when the judges commence their duties, until 1 P.M., 
when the public are admitted. This is in every respect an admir¬ 
able arrangement, for time is afforded to the judges to devote such 
consideration to the stands as it is highly desirable should be 
devoted to them in order to insure accurate and just awards ; 
moreover, it also affords facilities for such reports of the exhibi¬ 
tions being prepared as shall meet the requirements of the 
many thousands of persons who, though unable to be present, 
yet take a deep interest in the proceedings, and whose special 
interest is far more to be studied than that of a heedless holiday 
throng. 
These considerations were entirely disregarded on the occasion 
now referred to. Flushed and excited by the visit of Royalty, the 
Palace authorities thrust the splendid Exhibition of the National 
Rose Society into a corner, and practically left it to take its chance, 
tardily affording facilities for what was described as an “ early 
view” at 12 A.M., although as the public were admitted at the 
usual hour, and within a few minutes of the time that the judging 
of the principal classes was completed, this privilege was practi¬ 
cally worthless. Thus hurried through their duties it is not to be 
expected that the most competent of judges could extend that calm 
and careful deliberation to the exhibits which is so eminently 
desirable, and the representatives of the press were still further 
embarrassed in their endeavours to discharge a public duty in an 
adequate manner. A determined effort was made by the busy 
penmen to register the names of the winners and the winning 
blooms. To do what they wished was almost impossible, and some 
gave up the task in despair. The Journal representative, being of 
an unyielding disposition, forced his way along the stands and 
took the names as best he could. He hopes his report is accurate, 
but has no one to thank for consideration extended. 
So far as we can learn it was a day of Shah on the brain at the 
Palace last Saturday, and Rose lovers who count upon the National 
Show as a day of enjoyment, when the best productions of the 
greatest growers can be studied, the flower in all its numerous 
varieties discussed, and pleasant converse held upon the varieties, 
must have been somewhat disappointed. Perhaps the National 
Rose Society were in no way to blame, but it is evident that 
when sensational attractions supervene their interests will not be 
studied, even when they are the innocent cause of that sensa¬ 
tionalism being developed ; for without the Rose Show we do not 
suppose there would have been Royalty at the Crystal Palace on 
July the 6th. That it was a magnificent exhibition, well calculated 
to awaken widespread interest and admiration, does not unfortu¬ 
nately improve matters, but rather makes them the more to be 
regretted. 
The Rose time has been brighter and shorter than usual; the 
No. 2128.—Vol. LXXXI., Old Series 
