1870.] AMATEUR ROSE-GROWING. 483 



grower, once said : " No doubt the Manetti is very serviceable to those 

 who require to propagate Roses in large quantities, but, as a per- 

 manent stock, I have for it a great dislike, and never plant Roses 

 worked upon it except the new ones, which, as dwarfs, I cannot obtain 

 in any other form." And again he says : " I have for several years 

 noticed that, if any of the plants in my beds of dwarf-Roses (which 

 consist entirely of these on the Manetti and those on their own roots) 

 die, they are sure to be those on the Manetti. ... I would 

 rather give three times the price for Roses on their own roots than 

 for those on the Manetti, even if the latter were the largest." This is 

 a very pronounced opinion, and one entitled to all possible respect. 

 It is an opinion in which I cheerfully and cordially coincide, not only 

 because it truly expresses my own views, but, I believe also, those of 

 many other amateur Rose-cultivators. 



After all, this long introduction is simply intended to lead the 

 reader on to the consideration of this very important point — how 

 most successfully to grow Roses. I write for the benefit of my fellow- 

 amateur Rose-growers, as one who has done his best to solve this pro- 

 blem for himself; and my conclusions are these: 1st, Purchase or pro- 

 pagate plants on their own roots — that is to say, struck from cut- 

 tings • and 2d, Grow them in beds or lines under the pegging-down 

 system. Here, in these two conditions, will be found the secret of 

 success. 



The Rose is very accommodating as to the nature of the soil in which 

 it will grow, but it specially delights in depth. Newly-made ground, 

 where a lot of rubbish of all kinds has been deposited, and with from 2 

 to 3 feet of fairly good soil on the surface, is just the place whereon to 

 plant them — the drainage is good, and there is abundance of room for 

 the roots to travel in without feeling the effects of drought. This is 

 a much more important consideration than mulching or watering. 

 However, I presume it is not convenient to every one to have such a 

 place in which to plant Roses ; but by the expenditure of a little extra 

 labour it is possible to make the future home of the plants somewhat 

 closely to approach these important conditions, and, having added 

 thereto a moderate quantity of well-rotted manure, get the Roses 

 planted out about 2J feet apart in the month of November, and cut 

 all the growth back hard in the following March. Trom the base of 

 each will spring up shoots that will attain to a height of from 4 to 6 

 feet. Almost all of these shoots will carry autumn llowers. 



During the summer the beds should be kept very clean, and well 

 stirred, and in the winter receive a top-dressing of manure. In the 

 following February the shoots must be shortened to a length of from 

 20 to 14 inches, and then brought down and fastened within an inch 



