and one other.
This also must be taken away, as soon as the centre bud looks healthy
and free from damage. Very strong growers, like _Florence Pemberton_,
and those varieties having a great number of petals, will do better if
the buds are not much thinned, or they will be coarse.

The N.R.S. definition of a good rose is: "The highest type of bloom is
one which has form, size, brightness, substance, and good foliage, and
which is at the time of judging in the most perfect phase of its
possible beauty."

It will be necessary in the case of Hybrid Perpetuals to select the bud,
which should be about three-quarters open, two days before the show
(four or even five days for Teas), and to tie up, not tightly, the
centre of the flower with Berlin wool, leaving the outer petals free,
taking care that it is not wet with rain, or even dew. Bend the shoot
down, if possible, and cover with a shade; some clean litter spread
under dwarfs on the ground will keep the flower from being splashed by
heavy rains. Teas are improved if covered with a cone of butter paper,
as well as the shade; and some may be cut two days before the show, and
if put in a dry, dark cellar, will remain in good condition. _Marechal
Niel_ will improve in colour by being kept in the dark. The best time
for cutting H. Ps. is from four to seven o'clock the evening before the
show; they will lose a little in colour, but will stand longer than if
cut before six o'clock on the morning of the show. Use garden scissors
in preference to a knife. When getting the blooms, cut the stem five or
six inches long, and remove the lower leaves, which only fill up the
tube and do no good to the flower, and do not add to its appearance in
the box. A receptacle with water should be taken round when cutting, and
the flowers put in immediately and never allowed to become dry (the
water must not be cold). The name should be attached at once.

The regulation size of the N. R. S. for rose boxes is "4 inches high in
front and 18 inches wide, and of the following lengths (all outside
measurements). For 24 blooms, 3 ft. 6 ins. long; for 18 blooms, 2 ft. 9
ins. long; for 12 blooms, 2 ft. long; for 9 blooms, 1 ft. 6 ins. long;
for 6 blooms, 1 ft. long; for 8 trebles, 3 ft. 6 ins. long; for 6
trebles, 2 ft. 9 ins. long; for 4 trebles, 2 ft. long." The lid should
have a depth of 9 inches to allow room for the blooms. Boxes are
supplied at a moderate price by John Pinches, 3 Crown Buildings, C