326 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



when the heat has declined sufficiently to admit of its being done 

 with safety. They can be plunged into either leaves or hops at first, 

 as there is no danger of the heat rising high enough to do any harm. 

 The soil must be kept in a moderately moist state until the plants 

 begin to grow freely, and then more liberal supplies of water will 

 become necessary. 



As they begin to come into bloom, remove to cooler quarters ; 

 keep rather close at first, and then gradually harden them ufi" suffi- 

 ciently to allow of their being placed in the conservatory or draw- 

 ing-room without any risk of their suffering Irom cold. The 

 Dielytras must be kept rather near the glass to insure a steady 

 growth, for when forced at a considerable distance from the glass, 

 they become drawn and have an objectionable appearance. The 

 Astilbe must, after it has made considerable progress, be placed 

 far enough apart to afford room for the development of the foliage 

 in a natural manner. When in the conservatory, the last-men- 

 tioned should, like the Lachenalias, be placed in pans of water, 

 for they require an abundance of moisture, and if allowed to 

 become dust dry, the foliage assumes a yellowish appearance, at the 

 edges, and the plants become less attractive than they otherwise 

 would be. 



Those who intend forcing two or three batches of plants, should 

 make up a bed at once ; but if one lot is considered sufficient, the 

 best course will be to pot them without delay, and make up the 

 hot-bed early in January. 



NEW EOSES. 



BY GEOEGE GORDON. 



|HE past season has been by no means favourable to the 

 production of first-class roses, and at the earliest summer 

 exhibitions the stands of some of the most famous 

 growers were filled with blooms which in more favour- 

 able seasons would not have been considered present- 

 able. This being the case, it behoves us to speak somewhat ten- 

 derly, and with a proper degree of caution, of some of the more 

 recent introductions. If a large number of the best established 

 kinds have failed to produce properly developed blooms^, it would 

 be unfair to speak too harshly of the new varieties which have not 

 come up to our expectations. Even with the assistance of the most 

 favourable weather, it is difficult to arrive at correct conclusions 

 respecting the merits of any variety the first season, unless, as is so 

 frequently the case, it is so bad as to leave no doubts as to its 

 inferiority, or happens to be so good as to at once present unmistak- 

 able proofs of its merits. There can be no doubt the French raisers 

 do send us every year a large number of most worthless varieties, 

 and the prudent amateur who has very little money to spare in the 

 purchase of new flowers, should not buy any of the French roses 

 until an opportunity has been aff'orded in this country for competent 



