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Unless prohibited by the general rule of a society, as in Western Australia, or in special classes, as in most shows, wiring of blooms is so important that it can almost win or lose awards for the exhibitor.

In staging roses for decorative purposes, as in bowls, vases, bunches, baskets, bouquets, and sprays, it is best to use florist's black wire of as light a gauge as is consistent with its purpose of holding the blooms in the required positions-17- or 18-gauge will be most useful. The smaller the number of the gauge the heavier is the wire. For specimen blooms there is no objection to galvanized wire, and it has the advantages of being stiffer and cleaner to handle. Number 18-gauge is most commonly used.

There are two usual methods of wiring: (a) by pushing the upper end of the wire into the calyx; (b) by curling the upper end of the wire round/ or just under, the calyx. When the first method of wiring is used, the bloom must be held by its calyx in one hand while the wire is pushed into it with the other. Be very careful not to break off the head of the bloom. When the second, and probably better, method is used, wires should be prepared in adequate numbers long before the show. Each wire should be bent at one end in the form of an incomplete circle about one-third of an inch in diameter. This ring should then be turned at a right angle to the length of the wire. All the work should be done with pliers.

In either method the wire will need to be attached to the stem of the bloom. This can be done by twining it round the stem, a proceeding that is apt to damage or distort foliage, and is possible only with wire of a gauge so light that it has very little control over the bloom. Alternatively, it can be secured by twisting florist's very fine wire round both the stem and the wire. This fine wire should be on hand ready, cut into lengths of about three inches. Several pieces should be used for each bloom. If the uppermost tie is placed on the part of the stem between the calyx and the first pair of small leaflets, the risk of breaking off the bloom will be greatly lessened. One or two other ties should be used farther down the stem.

Florist's black wire is generally sold in bundles two feet long and each weighing one pound; the number of wires varies with the gauge. These wires, after bending, should be left at their full length and they can be shortened when used. Always keep this wire dry, for its rusts very easily. Galvanized wire is usually sold in coils, and wires for specimen blooms should be cut to lengths of about ten inches, straightened, and then turned at one end, as described.