i88i.] THE ROSE -HOUSE. 99 



become thoroughly established in their pots, they are in a good condi- 

 tion for turning out for planting, provided the borders in the house 

 are ready, and the soil is well warmed. If the borders are not 

 ready for i)lanting, the plants should not be allowed to stay in the 

 5-inch pots to become checked, but should be transferred into a larger 

 size. Bottom-heat is still serviceable, but the plants before planting- 

 time should be removed from the bottom-heat. Those intended for 

 the roof should be kept in pots until they have attained a sufficient 

 size to reach from the border well through the stage : abundance of air 

 should be given to the plants when favourable, to obtain a sturdy, com- 

 pact growth. Airing, watering, syringing, temperature, &c., should be 

 conducted as recommended in previous numbers of the 'Gardener' on 

 Roses. Those intended to be planted out should be attended to with 

 as little delay as possible, as under the planting-out system they attain 

 greater strength and vigour, and cover much more of the trellis than 

 if kept in pots through a good portion of the season. As the external 

 air becomes warmer, artificial aid can be dispensed with. While 

 growing rapidly, the house can be closed early in the afternoon, so as 

 to allow the temperature to rise considerably by sun-heat. 



When autumn approaches, the wood must be thoroughly hardened 

 and ripened, and the plants brought to a complete standstill by keeping 

 the house much drier and cooler. Ripened wood and a good season 

 of rest are essential to the successful cultivation of Tea Roses when 

 planted out under glass. The latter to a large extent has to be forced 

 upon them, as they are rather perpetual in their nature, and continue 

 to bloom and grow in autumn if means are not taken to prevent 

 them. I have seen failure result from this constant-growing system. 

 They continue to flourish tolerably well for a time, until their vital 

 energy is exhausted. They then force rest upon cultivators, and 

 when wanted to grow, decline, and if pushed against their will, soon 

 dwindle and die. This will not be the case if a natural system of 

 cultivation is pursued. The forcing of rest upon them need not be 

 severe, but sufiicient to bring them to a standstill, and nothing accom- 

 plishes this better than a low temperature. This is quite easy for a 

 season or two after planting ; but when rest is required much earlier 

 in the season, to be ready for starting to produce Roses in winter, the 

 resting period is not so easily accomplished by a low temperature. An 

 early growth, dryness both in the atmosphere and at the roots, with 

 abundance of air, are the only means that can be employed. 



The young plants subject to winter maturation, after rest should be 

 slightly pruned by removing weak and unripened shoots, and should 

 be again slowly started into growth. It will be wise if all flowers are 

 sacrificed the first season, and the strength of the plants devoted to the 

 production of wood. The second season the growth should be rapid 

 and strong, and should be ripened as early as possible, so as to again 

 start them earlier into growth, in order that the plants may be trained 



