72 ROSES. 



water is distilled from this bright, thickly-blowing 

 flower. 



The Cabbage rose is the most beautiful, as well 

 as the most fragrant of roses. All others are vari- 

 eties of roses, but this grand flower is the " rose 

 itself." 



It throws out suckers plentifully for propagating 

 its kind ; and every two or three years, the root of 

 each bush will part into separate plants. Cut the 

 roots slanting with a sharp knife as you divide 

 them. A very small bit of root is sufficient for a 

 rose-bush, as they are hardy in their nature. Do 

 not move roses oftener than you can help : they 

 delight in being stationary for years. 



In pruning roses of every description, which 

 should be effected in January, shorten all the shoots 

 to nine inches only, and cut away all the old wood, 

 which becomes useless after two or three years' 

 growth. This treatment ensures fine flowers. 



Roses love a good soil, as, indeed, what flower 

 does not ? Fresh mould applied to them every two 

 or three years, or manure dug round them annually, 

 preserves them in constant vigor and beauty. 



Shoots of rose-bushes laid down and pegged like 

 layers, only without gashing, when the flowers are 

 in bloom, will root and become plants in the autumn. 

 Pinch off" the buds, that they may throw their 

 strength into their roots. 



Roses are often observed to change their color, 

 which efl"ect proceeds chiefly from bad soil. When 

 this occurs, manure the root of the bush or plant. 

 A clay soil, well dressed with ashes, is the best of 

 all soils for the hardy roses. 



Moss roses love a cool soil and a cool aspect. 

 They soon fade in a hot sun. 



