6 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



to the very summit, and in their season sheeting them with flowers. 

 I know not whether it is owing to the proximity of the Crystal 

 Palace as a determining influence, hut Boursault roses, for some- 

 reason or other, abound more in Sydenham than in any other place- 

 within my knowledge, and I speak as a frequent and an observant 

 traveller. Everywhere the walls of pretty villas are smothered with 

 the rich purplish-crimson or brilliant rose-coloured flowers of this 

 best of wall roses ; the soil suits them, the owners care for them, and 

 the rose-loving rambler shares in the delight. 



If we could make a general survey of all the wall, pillar, and 

 pavilion roses in the country, I fear we should have to report of 

 them in an unsatisfactory manner. Generally speaking, this class of 

 roses is badly treated. Those who know how, oftentimes neglect to 

 apply their knowledge, from a foolish disrespect they entertain for 

 roses that are of no value for their individual flowers. Those who 

 do not know, generally conclude that pruning them with a knife and 

 fork will be the right thing, and that as to other matters the wall 

 roses will take care of themselves. It may be well to say a word to 

 both classes. Those who affect to despise these roses because of 

 their familiarity with the wonders of the rose garden proper, play a 

 foolish part. Once admit that walls and trellises must be clothed, 

 and that certain roses are adapted to afford the desired covering, and 

 it follows that he who gives his mind and hands cheerfully to the 

 task of growing them properly, obeys the dictates of sound sense 

 and good taste ; and he who would despise them or act as if they 

 were unworthy of his attention, deserves rebuke for a shallow pre- 

 tender, and one who in his supposed affluence of knowledge has yet 

 everything to learn. To the more modest ones who would do well 

 for their climbing roses if they only knew how, we shall speak more- 

 kindly and communicatively. To them, indeed, is addressed all that 

 follows. 



As to climbing roses in general, it must be understood that our 

 first business is to make sure that they will grow. It is in this first 

 stage that many a climbing rose is irretrievably ruined, and made a 

 ghost of for the disgrace of the wall it clings to like a shadow. Tou 

 cannot have too much vigour in a climbing rose, and therefore you 

 cannot be too liberal in your mode of planting. A deep strong loam 

 is the proper bed, but this bed should be broken up over one square 

 yard of space at least, and a liberal allowance of fat manure well 

 dug into it. When planted in such a bed, a climbing rose will be 

 pretty sure to grow, but if simply stuck in a hole, it will be pretty 

 sure to stand still until death takes kindly charge to make an end of 

 its miseries. 



In dry, chalky, and sandy districts, rampant rosec are commonly 

 starved, and make but a poor return for the space afforded them. It 

 is in their nature to require substantial nourishment, and if that can- 

 not be provided it is a folly to plant them. If, however, any one- 

 dwelling in a district where the soil is of this hot, starving character 

 would " make an effort " to produce a bower of roses, my advice to 

 such an one would be to prepare, by diligent labour, the nearest pos- 

 sible resemblance to a rich loam, and to make an extra large bed, say, 



