18 THE MOSS ROSE. 



have ascertained that they establish themselves 

 much better on short stems, from two or three 

 feet in height, than on taller stems, as the stem 

 increases in bulk progressively with the head, and 

 the plants will then live and flourish a great 

 many years. 



Raising Varieties from Seed. 



To raise Moss Roses from seed is a most in- 

 teresting employment for the genuine rose 

 amateur ; such a pleasing field is open, and so 

 much may yet be done. The following directions 

 will, I hope, assist those who have leisure, perse- 

 verance, and love for this charming flower. A 

 plant of the Luxembourg Moss and one of the 

 Celina Moss should be planted against a south 

 wall, close to each other, so that their branches 

 may be mingled. In bright, calm, sunny morn- 

 ings in June, about ten o'clock, those flowers 

 that are expanded should be examined by press- 

 ing the fingers on the anthers ; it will then be 

 found if the pollen be abundant ; if so, a flower 

 of the former should be shaken over the latter ; 

 or, what perhaps is better, its flower-stalks should 

 be fastened to the wall so that the flower will be 

 kept in an erect position ; then cut a flower of 

 the Luxembourg Moss, strip off its petals with a 

 sharp pair of scissors, and place the anthers 

 firmly but gently upon a flower of the Single 

 Crimson, so that the anthers of each are en- 



