282 TRANSACTIONS OF THE HORTICULTURAL 



heaven, he was so charmed by its loveliness of color, form and 

 fragrance, he implored the gods for power to bestow an added 

 grace. The petition was granted. 



"And o'er the rose 

 A veil of moss the angel throws, 

 Robed in nature's simplest weed 

 Can then a flower that rose exceed?" 



Solomon sang its praise, the Holy Land derives its name from 

 it, the gods sought its aid, the first bloom being secured by Cupid 

 as an offering to Hypocrates, the god of silence, that the lover of 

 his mother Venus might not be divulged, and even to-day our 

 lovers whisper "under the rose." By it Auriana told to her 

 lover of her love and grief; returning it divested of its leaves and 

 thorns he cheered her troubled heart. Neither poet with language, 

 nor artist with color have exaggerated its loveliness. With it the 

 pious hand beautifies the house of God. Love brings it in 

 wreaths, joy and revelry it crowns, grief lays it reverently upon 

 the tomb, wealth and luxury strew it everywhere, allegory sings 

 it in the painted song of morning, it cheers the poor and sick, 

 mingles with our tears and sorrows, and revels in our worldly 

 paths. From the gathering of the Bacchanalian songsters, from 

 the place of honor above the heads of royalty at the feast, to the 

 modesty and purity of the home and tomb it has a place — " the 

 queen of flowers." 



The Eose must have plenty of sunlight and air; these with 

 good soil and proper care will ensure you success with any variety. 

 Any well prepared garden soil will grow roses nicely, but not to 

 perfection. A great demand is made upon the plant when the 

 highest grade of tree, form, color and fragrance are expected. 

 Good strong, rich loam with leaf or wood mould, well rotted 

 fertilizer from the cow stable or hennery, with an allowance of 

 sand for ventilation, with little fear of fertilizing too highly, 

 makes a proper soil for roses. Liquid fertilizers applied at any 

 stage of growth will keep the soil and plant in profitable con- 

 dition. 



Fall planting, with extra protection, will prove the most suc- 

 cessful I believe. Still I will take and set a rose whenever I can 

 get it. In bedding roses, all ragged, bruised or withered parts 

 should be cut smoothly off to the solid wood or root with a sharp 

 knife, and all roots with a tendency to grow downwards 

 shortened. Make the pit for setting larger than actually re- 

 quired, with depth sufficient to be able to fork up loosely the 

 earth; (and with profit) work in decayed fertilizer below where 

 the plant may rest. Wet the earth thoroughly, but not to excess, 

 as you fill in around the plant, pressing the top earth down with 

 the foot until there is no danger of the plants loosening or lean- 

 ing from effects of the wind. It is a good plan to dampen all 



