THE FLORIST. 59 



My attention was now, however, more particularly directed to the 

 bed of Roses from whence I gathered my bouquet. The plants were 

 full of green leaves and bright flowers, but other plants of the same 

 kind were nearly leafless and flowerless. How was this brought 

 about ? and why should they be thus verdant in so proverbially 

 dreary a month ? were questions that immediately pressed upon my 

 mind. I soon, however, recollected that these plants had been re- 

 moved late in spring, had been planted in a richly manured soil, 

 and had been cut-in very closely. This accident in culture re- 

 minded me of The Florisi and its readers ; and I resolved to make a 

 little article on the subject, so that all lovers of Roses may, if they 

 please, prolong the enjoyment of their beauties. 



The Roses which I gathered were all Hybrid Perpetuals, and of 

 the following varieties : Baronne Prevost, Mrs. Elliott, Robin Hood, 

 Geant des Batailles, La Reine, Comte de Montalivet, Dr. Marx, 

 Duchess of Sutherland, Marquise Boccella, Madame LafFay, Com- 

 tesse Duchatel, Rivers, Sidonie, and some others. Now, working 

 out a system from the above accident, I 

 should recommend that a bed in every Rose- 

 garden be appropriated to these winter Roses, 

 proceeding thus : — Presuming that plants 

 one, or two, or three years old are conve- 

 nient, or that a bed of Hybrid Perpetuals 

 can be appropriated, the plants should be 

 taken up in February, their long roots short- 

 ened to about half their length, the fibrous 

 roots left untouched, and their heads left 

 unpruned. They should then be planted 

 thickly under a north wall, or fence, and re- 

 main there till the end of April. They may 

 then be taken up ; their heads closely pruned, 

 as annexed figure, which is that of a dwarf 

 Standard Rose pruned for late flowering. 



A bed must be prepared for them, which cannot be manured too 

 bountifully. A coat, four or six inches thick, of any kind of manure 

 in a half-decomposed state, well mixed with the soil, to a depth of 

 eighteen inches or two feet, will give them all the necessary vigour, 

 if the weather is dry and warm. The roots of the plants may be 

 " puddled," i. e. dipped in a thick mixture of loam or clay and 

 water with much advantage ; and water should be poured into each 

 hole before it is filled in, and the loose surface-mould placed in it, 

 giving it a very gentle pressure with the foot. Rose-trees treated 

 in this manner will last for several years, and their annual treatment 

 may be exactly as above given. It will, however, be advisable not to 

 plant them more than two seasons in the same bed, unless the Rose- 

 garden is confined to a small space ; for Roses like fresh soil, and 

 manure, however thickly applied, will not compensate for it. In con- 

 fined gardens, if the site for the winter Rose-border or clump cannot 

 be changed, it should be excavated to a depth of eighteen inches, 

 and fresh loamy soil brought in. Hybrid Perpetual Roses thus 



