34 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



limited experience of an amateur to whom the cultivation of flowers 

 is a source of infinite pleasure. 



I shall confine my remarks principally to the cultivation of the 

 Bourbon and Tea, or everblooming roses, as they require more careful 

 culture than the hardier varieties, attempting: to present the conditions 

 which will insure success in this latitude. It is impossible to produce 

 such magnificient specimens as are found in California and the South- 

 ern states, but with the best conditions- that can be supplied, fairly 

 good results may be obtained, sufficient to repay one for the time, 

 strength and means invested. The first thing is to decide what we 

 want, and in making a selection one must be governed somewhat by 

 the amount of space and the location. 



A sheltered, sunny spot on the south side of a building or close 

 fence, not too near large trees whose foliage and roots interfere with 

 the growth of small, delicate plants, would be a suitable place. The 

 plants may be arranged in borders or beds according to taste or con- 

 venience. If there is not good natural drainage, artificial drainage 

 must be supplied by removing the soil to the depth of eighteen inches, 

 and filling in with broken pottery, stones and other rubbish to the 

 depth of four or six inches, leaving about twelve inches for soil. 



To obtain the best results the soil should be rich, composed of 

 loam, well-rotted manure, and a little sand. Having prepared the soil, 

 the next consideration is to get good strong plants. Not only that; 

 such varieties should be selected as will succeed in this latitude ; for 

 not all perpetual roses will survive the rigor of our winters. 



It is a temptation when one goes to a green-hoase to select from 

 the magnificent specimens of forced roses that the florist has, or to 

 read the descriptions in the guide books, and order accordingly, never 

 considering how impossible it is to supply out of doors in this climate 

 the conditions of the green-house. The plants should be grown from 

 cuttings, strong two or three-year-old plants. It is better to buy one 

 dozen of the two-year-old than two dozen of one-year-old plants. 



There will be a better yield of blossoms, and more of the plants 

 will survive the winter. Another thing to consider is whether the 

 varieties are prolific. Some of the tea roses are what the fiorists call 

 "shy bloomers." The plants, under right conditions, produce magnifi- 

 cent roses, but they are "few and far between." The Bride and Perle 

 des Jardin are examples. So these three things 'to guide one in the 

 selection of plants should be considered, viz. : hardy varieties, vigor- 

 ous plants, free bloomers. It is better, also, to buy plants which have 

 been wintered in a cold frame, as the change to outdoor conditions 

 will not be so great. 



