Evening star., 1950-10-08

can learn a roses name unless 1t
is labeled. Good rose markers
are not freely obtainable although
the Takoma Horticultural Club
and the Potomac Rose Society
have done much to meet this
problem. It was quite clear from
the discussion that the rose grow
er could not hope to become a
competent judge without being
able to recognize and correctly
identify majority of the modern
garden roses.
Substance Stressed.
DR.. James B. Shanks of the
University Of Maryland gave q
detailed description of rose sub
stance and color. While he
stressed this point from the score
card point Of view, we, as garden
ers. should seek out those roses
which have substance and good
color. Substance is that material
in the petals which hold them
erect, gives them their arrange
ment and lasting qualities. Thin
papery petals do not last, the buds
open quickly and the petals fall
apart quickly. Roses whose petals
have the desirable substance last
well in the garden and in the ar
rangement.
Good color is desirable, al
though probably the most COM
monty noted fault is the bluing Of
some red roses in our hot mid
summer air. Clear, rich colors Of
good depth are equally important.
Roses that fade quickly should
be avoided If we are to have an
attractive garden display. In
doors, we are not often troubled
by fading.
DR.. r. c. Allen, executive sec
retary Of the American Rose Soci-
ETY. spoke of the commonly &C
cepted color classification of roses
the terminology used to describe
a rose in the neutrality-suspicious.
out how indefinite and confusing
1t can be. He said committees
were trying to work out a positive
standard, not only for the benefit
OF the buyer but also for those
who stage rose shows. For ex-
ample, the Society is now consid-
erlng IA color classes and a 18th
has been suggested-bicolor.
Determining Points
The lectures were summarized
by DR.. Conrad Link of the Uni
versity of Maryland in a few posi-
tive statements. DR.. Link en-
phasized that while judges use
the details of the score card as a
means of recognizing the import
ant parts OF an exhibition rose, in
actual judging they work mostly
on a comparative basis.
Most rose gardeners, no doubt
nave wondered what determines
the placing of one rose over its
competitor. 1t was puzzling to
them when fine high pointed
rose lost to one that was a little
less pointed, perhaps globular.
However, they may have over
looked the Signs of recent dis
pudding, the lack of symmetry due
10 one or more damaged petals
having been removed. Or perhaps
to the torn diseased or dirty
foliage.
We mentioned the need for be-
ing able to correctly identify rose
varieties. and the corollary to this
is that a wrongly labeled rose is
penalzed. This is not so much a
criticism of the exhibitor as it is
to help the visitor to know and
want better roses. But other
points came out in the judging ex-
animation. Too often exhibitors
fail to read the schedule correctly
and enter the wrong number OF
sprays in a vase. If it calls for
three stems, make certain there
are three stems, not four or two,
because a competent judge will
disqualify the entry.
Similarly. if the class is for hy-
brid teas do not enter a polyantha
or a hybrid perpetual. And, if
the schedule calls for yellow roses
make certain your entry is a yell
low rose. not a yellow blend, or
multicolored. These are some of
the points for the exhibitor to fol-
low if he wishes to win prizes at
the local flower show. The others
are well worth keeping in mind
when selecting new varieties for
the rose garden.
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