THE FLOBAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 13 



which it exists in some of our celebrated rose nurseries would be 

 absurd. It is not to be accomplished, even if expense were no 

 object, but of course something may be done to mitigate the effects 

 of an unfavourable soil. I prepare the ground according to the 

 best of my abilities and the means at my command. In doing 

 this I endeavour to concentrate as much nourishment for their roots 

 as I possibly can within a given space, and the quality of the nutri- 

 ment supplied should be such that it will preserve its fertilizing 

 properties for a lengthened period, and be of a nature that will 

 quickly absorb and retain moisture in hot dry seasons. Manure 

 from the cowshed has proved to possess these valuable qualities ; 

 therefore, in planting standard roses, I dig the holes out for some 

 depth, and into the bottom of each hole I put cow manure. I use 

 it in a fresh state if I cannot otherwise obtain it. The remainder 

 of the preparation for planting consists in chopping up the soil to 

 make a proper bed for the roots, which are covered with a thin coat 

 of soil, over which I put plenty of the same manure, filling in with 

 earth. The whole is then very firmly trodden, by which process the 

 soil and manure become sufficiently intermixed. 



The next question is, how long will this mode of treatment con- 

 tinue to preserve the vigour of the plant ? The reply needs some 

 thought, because we must in a degree be guided by the effects of 

 surrounding vegetation on the growth of the plant. Should there 

 be trees growing in proximity to the spot on which the rose is 

 planted, and the roots of which trees are of a spreading nature, then, 

 depend on it, the roots will travel to where the greatest amount of 

 nourishment exists ; in that case they will soon become entangled 

 with the roots of the rose. This is one of those obstacles to success 

 that must be overcome if possible ; and the only way to remove the 

 difficulty is, in my opinion, to take up the rose trees every second 

 year, and renew the soil and manure, and also clear entirely away 

 any roots of other trees that may be there. The plants will bloom 

 the better in regard to quality by this biennial transplanting, so long 

 as they are not declining in vigour by reason of age. Under the 

 best of management and most favourable aspect, where there is a 

 large collection, annual renewal of plants is more or less necessary, 

 for there will always be a few deaths. 



In recommending the system of biennial transplanting, I am 

 supposing that the rose trees are distributed in various parts of the 

 grounds, and not confined to one spot. Thus they are subject to 

 many influences, which must retard their progress unless carefully 

 watched. Where a. plot of ground can be entirely devoted to the 

 cultivation of a large number of roses, an advantage is secured in 

 bringing their culture more immediately under control, and the 

 necessity for frequent transplanting does not exist. Thus it is that 

 persons residing far from towns are enabled to produce such superb 

 examples at our exhibitions, because they can avail themselves of 

 abundant space, which is a grand auxiliary to a healthy atmosphere. 

 As to the period for planting or transplanting the rose, it may be 

 done with safety any time betwixt November and February. When 

 the buds begin to swell in the spring, let the soil have two or three 



