1 inch in width-three for the Roses, and three merely to reduce the weight. There will be a space of 1 inch between the laths and the upper edge of the box, to be filled as follows: Cover the laths with sheets of brown paper, two deep, and cut to fit the box, and upon these place the best

moss you can obtain. I get mine from trunks of trees in a neighbouring wood; have it carefully picked over and well watered the day before a show; and then, using the coarser portion for a substratum, make my upper surface as clean and green and level as I can. Fronds of ferns, especially of Adiantum, are sometimes prettily introduced.

It would, I think, repay the Rosarian to grow moss. specially for this purpose, such as would thrive-S. denticulata, for example-in rough boxes and waste places

under stages or in vineries. Some years ago I placed a lining of zinc, 3 inches deep, at the top of one of my Roseboxes, filled it with earth, and soon obtained from it a charming surface of S. apoda. The effect of twelve beautiful Roses resting upon this bright-green moss was lovely; but oh! the weight when we bore them to the show; no mother in all the world would care to carry such a bulky babe.

A wee story about moss, and we leave it. I remember an exhibitor, of whom it was said that he was never known to pay a compliment, or to praise anything which did not belong to himself, except upon one occasion. Having won the first prize for Roses, he went in the joy of his heart to his chief rival, and surveying his collection, deliberately and frankly said, "Well, John, I must acknowledge you certainly beat us—in moss." As well might some victorious jockey compliment the rider of a distanced horse upon the plaiting of that horse's mane. It was a panegyric as glorious as that which Artemus Ward paid to his company, composed exclusively of commanders - in - chief, "What we particly excel in is resting muskits-we can rest muskits with anybody."

The Roses are placed in tubes of zinc 4 inches in

length, 2 inches wide at the top, gradually tapering until they become I inch in width at the centre, the tops being movable, as shown herewith. This top is taken off, and the stalk of the flower being brought through until the Rose is held securely, it is replaced

upon the tubes, previously filled These

with

rain water. pure

tubes not only facilitate the arrangement of the flower, but

they retain the water when rough

railway porters forget their gradients. They may be had from the brazier and tinman everywhere, and the cost is 4s. per dozen.

The carelessness of porters reminds me to add, that exhibitors who cannot accompany their Roses-a terrible separation to the true lover, and one which I have never known-will do well to have painted in white letters upon the dark-green lids of their boxes, "Flowers in waterkeep level."

The amateur must now have the cards in readiness, on which he has written with his best pen the names of his show-Roses. These are cut from ordinary cardboard, and

must be of the regulation size-3 inches in length by 1 in width. They should be kept in a box, divided into compartments and lettered, so that they may be quickly found when wanted. They are placed sometimes on the moss in front of the Rose, but they have a more neat and uniform appearance if inserted on sticks about 5 inches long (I use osier-twigs painted green), cleft at the top to receive them, and pointed at the bottom to penetrate the moss more easily. The young knight will not be armed cap-à-pie until he has supplied himself with a couple of helmets. If the wea

ther is showery, or the sun scorches, just before a show, many Roses may be advantageously shaded by having a zinc cap placed over them 8 inches in diameter, 5 inches in depth, ventilated, and having a socket attached, which may be moved up and down a stake fixed

by the Rose-tree, until the cap is secured in its position by a wooden wedge inserted between the socket and the

stake. Roses of a more delicate complexion than otherssuch as Mesdames Vidot and Rivers, the two Louises, Magnan and Peyronney, Miss Ingram and Monsieur Noman -and some whose vivid colouring is quickly tarnished by fiery suns-such as the brilliant Monsieur Boncenne-may be thus preserved for exhibition. Fresh cabbage-leaves, renewed from time to time, may be advantageously placed on the caps, which, I may add, have a more pleasing appearance in the Rosarium when painted a dark - green

colour.

These caps should be in readiness, fixed upon their stakes, in the Rose-beds or near them, so that they may be quickly placed in position when there is peril from fire or water-when fierce suns come suddenly forth, or when those first large drops, which have been poetically termed "tears of the tempest weeping for the havoc to follow," give warning of the storm. Many a grand Rose have I saved by promptly acting upon this admonition, and have come in-doors with my heart rejoicing under its moist merino waistcoat.

Helmet No. 2 resembles No. 1, 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 gene