JANUARY. 13 



chasing some desirable novelties at home, without being compelled 

 to rely on the Continent for the whole of our new Roses. 



From the uncertainty of seed ripening in open borders, it is best 

 to plant against or within the shelter of a wall having a south 

 or south-western exposure good seed-bearing varieties having ster- 

 ling qualities, but which may be improved ; such as William Jesse, 

 Duchess of Sutherland, Comte de INIontalivet, INIadame LafFay, Cor- 

 net, Gcant des Batailles, Safranot, Yellow China, the new very bright 

 but semidouble yellow Canari, Bouquet de Flore, Comice de Seine et 

 Marne, Madame Nerard, and any other varieties which may have been 

 found to be free seed-bearers, having properties which it is desirable 

 to perpetuate and improve. These may be hybridised by any other 

 good sorts which mature their pollen, or with each other, with the 

 hope of improving shape, colour, &c., as taste may dictate. 



To ascertain when the pollen is ripe, close watching, and, in some 

 varieties, opening the petals, will be necessary. On touching the 

 anthers with a camel-hair brush, should the pollen or farina adhere, 

 convey it carefully to the flower you wish to improve, and apply it 

 to the style. Then either nail the blossom to the wall and hang a 

 grape-glass over it, or if the plant is not sufficiently close to the 

 wall, a small board perforated for the foot-stalk of the impregnated 

 blossom to pass through (as in shading Dahlias for exhibition), should 

 be supported under the flower, and over it place a carnation or a 

 small propagating glass as a protector from wind, rain, or insects. 

 This covering should remain till the pod is formed, and it will also 

 hasten and often insure the ripening of the seed. 



The heps should remain on the stems till November, then ga- 

 thered and placed in dry sand till March ; the seeds must then be 

 rubbed from the husk, and if from tea-scented varieties, sown in deep 

 seed-pans in a rich compost, and covered about half an inch in 

 depth. The produce of hybrid perpetuals and Bourbons germinate 

 better, and the plants come stronger, if sown in the open ground. 

 They are best sown in drills, covering with light soil, gently patting 

 it with the back of a clean spade. On the appearance of the second 

 pair of rough leaves, transplant into good soil, removing the plants 

 carefully with the blade of a knife, putting weakly ones into pots ; 

 but mildew must be especially guarded against as one of their most 

 fatal enemies ; the seeds must also be protected from mice, Avhich 

 appear to have an especial liking for them. 



As some of the seed may not germinate for two or three years, 

 or if Moss-Roses are experimented on, for five or six years, it is de- 

 sirable not to disturb it when removing the plants ; and as many of 

 the latter may show no inclination to flower, the blooming of those 

 which may be thought promising may be hastened by budding, but 

 those not budded be sure to leave unpruned. 



A fiu'ther instance of an amateur's success just comes to my 

 recollection. I saw at a Dahlia show at the Eagle Tavern, some 

 years ago, a fine seedling Rose exhibited by Mr. Mitchell, of Pilt- 

 down near Maresfield, called Lady Shelly ; it is a seedling from 

 William Jesse, and a decided improvement, being much darker m 



