480 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Aug., 1912. 



wounded roots. The stem and side shoots shouldi be trimmed first of 

 all, both above or below the surface, with the exception of two or three 

 on the top. These should not be more than i foot to 15 inches above the 

 surface, as it is desirable to have a good strong stem to build the plant 

 on, so that it can fill the space allotted to it. In selecting plants, it 

 is well to take only from those that are of healthy growth. 



Cultivation. 

 The soil for rose culture should be cultivated tO' some depth. If 

 ploughed, it should be subsoiled, as m most cases it is better to keep the 

 surface soil on the top, and loosen, the subsoil to- a depth of at least 10 or 

 12 inches. The soil should be well pulverized before planting, and, where 

 convenient, it would be better to lie fallow for a few months before putting 

 plants out. Where drainage is necessary, it should be attended to as 

 early as possible, as a " wet bed '' is most objectionable. All that is 

 necessary in the after treatment is surface cultivation by light ploughing — 



3 or 4 inches deep — and extermination of weeds. 



The plants of the "^ Provence Rose " should be set out in rows about 



4 to 5 feet apart, and the space in the rows should be about 3 to 4 

 feet. Where it is intended to^ employ horse labour, the wider distance 

 between the rows should be selected, or even more, say 6 feet. The bush 

 develops considerably under favoral)le conditions ; if planted too close, 

 it would be most difiicult both to gather the flowers and cultivate the land. 



Care should be taken not to plant too deep, for if it is planted too 

 deep the crop becomes s unted and unhealthy. This is a mistake commonly 

 made by those having no experience of rose culture. The roots should 

 be near the surface, well spread out. and running down at an angle of 

 about 45 degrees, and the fine surface soil pressed down on them tightly. 

 This should give the plant a good start, and go a long way to the successful 

 establishment of a plantation of this kind. 



Pruning. 

 Rose pruning generally is a much debated point, and methods differ ; 

 but with oil extraction as the object, the form of bloom or quality 

 as a rose is of no consequence. What is required is "quantity." The 

 bush should be cut back sO' as to produce an abundance of yormg growth 

 on which the blooms can develop. Care must be taken to cut out the 

 thinner growth, and admit light and air through the plant, and at the 

 same time strengthen the leading shoots so as tO' keep it in proper form. 

 The season in which this should be carried out is important, as late pruning 

 does not give time for strong shoots to develop before the flowering season 

 is due. The usual time for rose pruning about the cltv is July and August, 

 but June, or early in July, is to be preferred when pruning for the pur- 

 poses of oil distillation. The work should be done thoroughly, so as to 

 give free scope tO' work the land. 



Gathering of Blooms. 

 The blooms must be gathered every second day, and the best time for 

 this operation is early in the morning before the sun gets at its height ; the 

 earlier the better. The blooms should be taken off before they are fully 

 expanded, but not before they are opened sufficiently to show the petals. 

 There is less risk of bruising or loosening them by shaking if it is done 

 at this time. Care in this respect is necessary if the best results are to be 

 obtained. 



