82 ROSES THAT BLOOM IX JUNE. 



minate, it must be well incorporated witli sand 

 and old manure until it becomes of a friable nature. 

 AYitli two feet depth of such a soil, tliej will grow 

 many years, and bloom profusely. "When any 

 decline is observed, it will indicate that they are 

 in want of nourishment, which can easily be sup- 

 plied by digging in about their roots three or four 

 inches thick of manure or rich compost. For such 

 an operation the month of Xovember to early in 

 the spring is the best period of the year. "Wher- 

 ever their situation may be, all the pruning they 

 require is merely to thin out the wood where it is 

 too crowded, and to keep it within bounds. I 

 have seen fine plants of many of the roses now 

 described totally ruined for one 3'ear by the free 

 use of the knife. 



Where manure cannot be convenientl}^ obtained, 

 fresh soil from the woods or rich grounds will be 

 of great service ; an occasional watering with soap- 

 suds is also very beneficial to the rose. In city 

 gardens, we have often seen a few inches of very 

 common poor soil thrown over clay, old bricks, 

 lime rubbish, &;c., whereon roses were planted, and 

 grew well the first season, but the following they 

 made barely sufficient wood and foliage to keep 

 them green ; the result was unsatisfoctor}", and the 

 fault laid to the rose ; whereas, the whole fault vras 



