CREAM OF THE ROSE CATALOGUES. 



on most sorts of strawberries, is confirmed by what we heard last year in the neigh- 

 borhood of Paris, of the difficulty of growing this fruit in the calcareous soil of that 

 vicinity. In our own garden, we have entirel}' satisfied ourselves of the great value 

 of tan-bark for strawberry culture. The beds should be covered with it when the plants 

 are established — to the depth of an inch — an inch or two more may be applied as a pro- 

 tection against the cold of winter, in all situations north of Pliiladelphia. Its virtues are 

 three fold; 1st, as a fertilizer — tannic acid being a specific manure fur this plant; 2d, as a 

 mulcher — keeping the ground cool, the fruit clean, and the weeds from growing; 3d, as a 

 protection against injury by the frosts of winter. Ed. 



THE CREAM OF THE ROSE CATALOGUES. 



. BV JOHN SAUL, WASHINGTON, D. C. 



We commend to such of our readers as are likely to be bewildered by the innumerable 

 varieties of the Rose now oflered to amateurs, the following select list by an English cul- 

 tivator of long experience, M'ho has latel}'^ settled in the United States. It was oi'iginully 

 written for an English Horticultural Journal, but seems to us admirably adapted in the 

 main to this country. All the roses are evzr-blooming — and ever-blooming roses certain- 

 ly overtop all other of the present day flowers. We will only add, that the great secret 

 of growing and blooming all this class of roses in the United States, is to put them in 

 beds of loamy soil trencned two feet deep, and enriched with one-half its bulk of stable 

 manure — which should have been well fermented first, (unless the beds are made up in 

 the autumn to be planted in the spring — wlicn fresh manure may be used. In such beds, 

 ever blooming roses will form a continued succession of new shoots and blossom buds, dur- 

 ing the entire growing season. Ed. 



The season is fast approaching when gardeners will once more have to decide M'hat de- 

 scription of plants will give to the flower garden the greatest beauty, fragrance, variety, 

 clearness, and contrast of colors, with continuity of bloom for the longest possible period 

 of time; and, not only are these qualities essential, but it is equally necessarj'- to ascer- 

 tain what class of flowers will give the greatest pleasure and satisfaction to the greatest 

 number of persons. Were this last question proposed to me, I should answer unhesitat- 

 ingly, Roses. 



The Rose is no longer a summer flower, for we now have autumnal bloomers, surpass- 

 ing, if possible, in color, beauty, and fragrance, our former favorites of June. Other class- 

 es of flowers, such as the Pelargonium, the Fuchsia, &c., have each its own admirers. 

 On the other hand, there may be found those who will say of some plants, however beau- 

 tiful, " I don't care much about this; it is not a tribe I much fiincj^." But has this ever 

 been said of the Rose.' I think not; I have never yet heard of any person sayin^, " I 

 don't admire Roses!" 



If Roses, then, are such general favorites, how comes it that they have not received that 

 extensive cultivation which they deserve? for it must be admitted that in very few gardens 

 thej' have received it. Is it because they are difficult to cultivate? Certainly not; no 

 flower requires more simple treatment. Perhaps it may be in part caused by the long ca 



ogue of varieties from which both gardeners and amateurs are puzzled how to 

 this in view, I will proceed to mention a few really good flowers — some of them 



