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Every exhibitor should make himself perfectly conversant with the rules governing each show. Each society has regulations differing slightly from the other. Shows in country and suburban centres usually follow the rules laid down by the central organization of their particular State. Unfortunately there are sometimes local variations, due mainly to lack of experience on the part of organizers. Usually horticultural societies affiliate with the National Rose Society of their State and follow the standard methods of judging. The parent body will often be able to help by providing judges and lecturers on rose matters.

Rules and regulations for judging are so nearly universal that it is safe to quote verbatim those used by the National Rose Society of Victoria:

1. All roses exhibited in competitions must be from plants which have been grown by, and have been the exclusive property of the exhibitor for at least three months before the date of the exhibition, except where otherwise stated in the schedule.

2. All roses should be correctly named.

3. The showing of duplicates, either under the same names or under different names, will disqualify the exhibit. The varieties listed as synonymous by the Society are, in every case, to be treated as duplicates. The incorrect naming of blooms, if there be no duplicates, does not disqualify.

4. All exhibition roses may be exhibited with rose foliage, whether loose or attached. No loose or extra foliage is allowed in a bunch unless it is of the variety staged in the bunch and then it counts as separate stems. Artificial aid of any and every kind is strictly prohibited, with the exception of wire or other supports, which are only to be used to keep the blooms erect.

A bloom dressed so as to alter its character shall count as a bad bloom. The use of prohibited artificial aid will disqualify the stand, except that if any exhibitor leaves a pellet in an exhibit, the judges shall remove the pellet, and the exhibit shall then be judged; but 20% of the points awarded shall be deducted as a penalty. No bunch or bloom in which a pellet has been left by an exhibitor shall be eligible for a best bunch or best bloom award. Should more than one pellet be left in an exhibit, the stand shall be disqualified.*

*As previously stated, the addition of loose foliage is prohibited in some States and wiring is forbidden in Western Australia. Bunches are not regarded as floral art exhibits.