228 THE FLORIST. 



the most graceful ; one is to be looked down upon, the other up at. 

 If this is remembered, the value of such qualities in their respective 

 adaptations will at once be recognised. However abundant or pro- 

 longed a bloomer a Rose may be, if it droops its flowers, half its 

 effect in a bed is entirely lost. And if a shower of rain falls, the 

 accumulated moisture, acting by its weight on the feeble footstalk, 

 increases the evil tenfold. A bed of such Hoses can never give 

 satisfaction. Scrambhng Roses, to be pegged down during their 

 season of growth, do not make the kind of effect in beds that one 

 could wish. I would have all •* worked" plants, selecting them with 

 different heights of " stock," to suit the different positions in plant- 

 ing ; the dwarfer on the outside, the latter in centre. I should not 

 expect great results in the first season of planting. During that 

 period I should have an eye to the formation of the head, endeavour- 

 ing to extend it horizontally as much as possible. When once the 

 surface of the bed becomes overarched with good flower-bearing 

 wood, and the luxuriance of the j^lants checked, supposing the kind 

 of Roses to be suitable, nothing in the way of massing could be more 

 beautiful. This may be inferred from the effects of a single head of 

 a free-blooming standard of any kind. 



Then Roses offer such faciUties in point of colour to work our 

 harmonies, or contrasts, or combinations ; although it must be con- 

 fessed the kinds really valuable for bedding purposes are not nume- 

 rous. Fancy a bed of Paul Joseph, or Geant de Batailles, 8 or 10 

 feet in diameter, edged with a row of Mrs. Bosanquet. If in good 

 condition, would it not be admirable } and there is no reason why it 

 should not be. To get good beds of Roses some little time must be 

 consumed in the preparation. One must not be impatient. Young 

 and luxuriant plants will never realise all that is expected of them. 

 But there is no reason why the necessary preparation should take 

 place in the flower-garden. The reserve-ground is the proper place 

 for preparation, and Roses may be prepared there as well as in the 

 beds in which they are to flower. Suppose two seasons' probationary 

 treatment is required, they can there be attended to, and transplanted 

 in full condition to their allotted beds in the garden. To treat Roses 

 as ordinary bedding plants, and selecting from them at random, must 

 ever end in partial disappointment; and from not giving the subject 

 due consideration, and taking the necessary precautions, doubtless 

 there arises most of the disappointment in this branch of flower- 

 gardening. 



I have said that, comparatively, few kinds are really suitable for 

 bedding; at the moment I can only recollect half a dozen. They may 

 not be the best for the purpose ; but they at least are pretty good, 

 and others will suggest themselves to the reader. First in the list 

 must be named Geant de Batailles, with its fine foliage and rich crim- 

 son flowers standing boldly up, as a warrior should do. Baronne 

 Prevost may be named as a successor ; colour pale rose. Dupetit 

 Thouars is equally good, rivalling the Geant in colour, but not so 

 fiery, being subdued by a tint of purple. The latter, however, as- 

 sumes a similar tint after being a day open. Paul Joseph is a good 



