THE 



GARDENER 



MARCH 1881. 



-'itT «.^;Sl«-«-6. 



THE ROSE-HOUSE. 



|T is questionable if any glass structure in a garden can 

 command such general admiration as a Rose-house, or 

 if there is one where so much beauty and fragrance 

 are to be found. Where choice flowers are in demand 

 through the winter and spring months, no collection, 

 however beautiful, appears complete without Rose-buds. Perhaps no 

 plant-house can give so much satisfaction or afford so much pleasure 

 generally, and none is so remunerative for the labour expended, as a 

 Rose-house. Yet in private establishments it is seldom we find a 

 house exclusively set apart for Roses. Houses are frequently occu- 

 pied with far more unworthy subjects ; and Roses in the majority of 

 cases are largely required where quantities of cut -flowers are in 

 demand. They have, however, to be produced in many gardens 

 under great difiiculties, causing much more labour, to say nothing of 

 the uncertain results that may follow, than would be occasioned by 

 devoting a house entirely to their cultivation. Where large supplies 

 of Roses are required — ^either Teas or Hybrid Perpetuals, or both — say 

 from Christmas onwards, the Rose-house is indispensable to meet the 

 demand with any degree of certainty. 



The kind of house best adapted for Roses is undoubtedly a span- 

 roofed structure running north and south. The size entirely depends 

 upon circumstances ; but in a house 30 to 40 feet long, 20 feet wide, 

 and 15 feet high, an abundance of Roses can be produced. A walk 3 

 feet wide should go all round, side stages 3 feet wide on either side 

 and ends, and a bed in the middle 8 feet wide. The height the bed 

 should be raised above the walks entirely depends upon different 



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