264 THE FLORIST. 



aim at producing a pudding at the expense of fine branches loaded 

 \dth blossom. When you have pruned away the old shoots, don't 

 stop asrain the young growth, unless some defect in the plant de- 

 mands another shoot to fill a vacant space. By doing so, you may 

 certainly obtain three blooming shoots instead of one ; but you sacri- 

 fice quahty at the shrine of quantity. Profuse " stopping" m the 

 Heath can only be justified while the plant is young, and being 

 formed for its future career. Then, of course, wood is the only 

 object. Never prune and " shift" simultaneously. If you prune 

 first, let the plant regain its vigour before you repot. Shift any 

 plant when it requires it, regardless of season. There are circum- 

 stances which may modify this as a general rule, but circumstances 

 must determine them. 



To recapitulate : to grow Heaths well, you must give them plenty 

 of light and air, — moving air. Pay especial attention to the welfare 

 of the roots. Recollect the ad\'ice of Mr. Barnes in regard to Pines, 

 that they can only be cultivated to advantage with plenty of live 

 roots. The Heath, under negligent treatment, is liable to have dead 

 ones in abundance. 



Above all, do not be disheartened when you lose a favourite 

 plant, which you sometimes will. The Heath is precarious in its 

 existence, notwithstanding all our attention. But the abundance 

 of the blossoms which they produce, the interesting character of the 

 plants, the length of time they remain in blossom, and the little 

 expense beyond unwearied attention which their cultivation involves, 

 all combine to render them peculiarly attractive to every lover of 

 plants. G. L. 



OX ROSES. . 



BY MR. M'ARDELL, FOREMAX, CASTLE HILL GARDENS. 



Having oflfered a few remarks at p. 212 on pruning Roses, on the 

 present occasion perhaps a few words on specimen plants may be 

 interesting. 



Specimen Roses should be planted in conspicuous and appropriate 

 situations. They should be few, but well grown. Respecting the 

 kinds of specimens to be cultivated, they may be : 1, bushes or 

 shrubs ; 2, standards of particular kinds ; and 3, standards with several 

 varieties budded on the same stock. By beginning with them when 

 young, the first description of specimens may be pruned and trained 

 to attain almost any size. A Rose on its own roots should be selected 

 with six good branches. If the latter are strong, they may be cut 

 back to ten or twelve inches in length ; but if weak, they should be 

 cut back to a single eye, as it is necessary that they should start 

 strongly. With six strong shoots cut back to ten or twelve inches, 

 a good foundation is secured for a fine shrub. In training, use 

 hooked sticks stuck into the ground to hold the shoots at equal dis- 

 tances, and spread them out with their ends about six inches from 



