194 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [September, 



they won't do." Yes; but how have you tried them? Probably you have 

 bought small plants at Is. or Is. 6d. each, and placed them in a house with 

 bedding plants, Camellias, and a host of other things whose conflicting interests 

 rendered it impossible for the poor unfortunate roses to receive anything like 

 reasonable treatment. It should be remembered that what is " one plant's meat 

 is another plant's poison," and how would our growers of orchids, or stove and 

 greenhouse plants succeed if they bought small plants, and if roses were culti- 

 vated in the same house with them, and a treatment followed with the view of 

 reconciling such antagonistic interests ? The growers of Orchids, &c, buy good- 

 sized plants, have houses built expressly for them, or existing houses modified to 

 suit them, and so it must be if the town gardener would succeed with Eoses. 



Well, then, what should the rose-house be ? As to dimensions, these may vary 

 according to the means or wants of the cultivator ; but a span-roofed house, so 

 constructed that the plants may be kept close to the glass, and a free circulation 

 of air secured, is the best form of structure. Heating, although not absolutely 

 necessary, is yet desirable, both as a protection against severe frost, and to secure 

 the development of early flowers. 



In the next place, buy plants well advanced, plants that have passed their 

 early and tender years in the nursery, under experienced and watchful care, and 

 in a kindly atmosphere. Bear in mind that men will thrive on diet and under 

 discipline that would be fatal to infants ; and mature plants of roses will flourish, 

 where young and tender plants would die. 



Let us assume, then, that the cultivator has a suitable house and suitable 

 plants, which he houses unpruned at the beginning of winter. His first act of 

 cultivation is to prune them. If he wants the best of his flowers in March and 

 April, he prunes in December, and applies gentle heat early in January. As the 

 days lengthen, the heat may be gradually increased. In sunny weather the 

 syringe should be used freely, especially in the morning. Watering must be 

 regularly attended to, care being taken in the early stages of growth not to 

 water too much ; more water will be required, as the leaves increase in size. 

 Smoking must be resorted to on the first appearance of green fly, and repeated 

 often enough to keep the plants entirely free from these destructive visitants. 

 Mildew must be guarded against. A small pepper-box, with finely punctured 

 holes, should be kept at hand filled with sulphur, and this should be dusted 

 freely on the leaves wherever the mildew is seen. A light shading should 

 be provided, to be used as soon as the buds show colour. When the flowering is 

 over, the plants should be rested by lowering the temperature of the house and 

 by withholding water. In about a month growth will recommence with the 

 advancing temperature of the year, when water must be again given, and the 

 same routine of culture pursued ; a second flowering will then take place in 

 June, before the roses are in flower out of doors. When the second flowering is 

 over, the plants may be plunged out of doors, and syringing frequently ; an 



