222 THE FLORIST. 



invigorate their growth amazingly. In the month of April they may 

 be placed in the open air in some rather sheltered situation, where 

 they can be liberally supplied with manure-water. 



Should any portion of them be required for decorative purposes 

 at an earlier period, they may be removed into the greenhouse, to 

 forward them into bloom ; but if not required early, they may remain 

 out of doors until they bloom, and then taken to the place where 

 their beauty is required to be seen. 



I have no doubt that shortly some very fine hybrids will be 

 brought into general cultivation, as I have in my collection from 

 twelve to twenty distinct varieties varying in shape and colour, some 

 of them very robust in their growth, with a clear white ground, dis- 

 tinctly spotted with rich crimson; others of a pinkish ground, beauti- 

 fully spotted ; some with beautiful stripes and blotches upon white 

 grounds, while others are of a delicate pink ground finely spotted, 

 with very broad petals, and beautifully reflexed. These have been 

 produced by hybridisation; and I have no doubt that many other 

 cultivators of these beautiful plants have been trying their skill in 

 the same way; and I hope ere long to see our present collection 

 enriched by their perseverance and attention. 



Camden Nursery, Camberwell. William Barnes. 



THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A POT-ROSE. 

 Chap. II. 



GENERAL CULTURE PRUNING MANETTI STOCK — PREPARATION 



FOR FORCING. 



Throughout the winter months I gave very little trouble, although 

 I received every attention that was necessary. The soil about my 

 roots was kept rather dry ; sometimes I did not receive any water 

 for a fortnight together, for John the gardener knew well that, as 

 my roots were in an inactive state, such a stimulant would prove 

 injurious rather than beneficial. When the weather was fine, the top 

 of the frame was pulled off, so that I was fully exposed to the sun 

 and air ; and if wet, it was so tilted, that a circulation of air was 

 admitted, though the rain was excluded. When the weather was 

 frosty, the frame was kept closely shut, and sometimes at night 

 a straw mat was drawn over the glass. Thus I passed my first 

 winter, in company with other plants ; and when the spring ar- 

 rived, my powers were so invigorated by the rest I had received, 

 that I felt prepared to grow and blossom w T ith unusual vigour. 

 Early in March I was pruned. I had seven shoots, four strong 

 ones placed at about equal distances, and three weaker ones rising 

 between the former. The latter were cut off close to the main 

 stem, and the remaining four were shortened to two eyes each, so 



