228 THE ROSE BOOK 



January or February as desired, and afterwards trans- 

 ferred to a heated house. 



It may be advisable here to give brief details of 

 cultivation the first season under glass. Unless the 

 roses are Tea-scented varieties they succeed much 

 better if only gently forced. A temperature of about 

 45° to 50 by night and 55 by day is quite high enough 

 to start with. This may be increased to 6o° by day 

 as the foliage develops. 



The hardier Hybrid Perpetuals and Hybrid Teas may 

 be grown in unheated or very slightly heated green- 

 houses. Many of the roses seen in bloom in May have 

 had very little artificial heat, but to obtain blooms in 

 March artificial heat is, of course, essential. The plants 

 having been pruned to buds pointing outwards, the 

 main growths should be tied down to form a shapely 

 base. This is done by placing a string around the rim 

 of the pot, tying rafha to the shoots, and gently drawing 

 the latter down and attaching the raffia to the string. 



As new growths develop, and when buds begin to 

 show, a neat green stick is given to each shoot, so that 

 a perfect pyramid is formed. Do not give much water 

 at first, as the plants do not need it, but they must not 

 be allowed to get very dry. It is a good plan to look 

 over them every morning and tap the pots with a thick 

 stick ; if a clear, bell-like sound is given out, the plants 

 should be watered. Syringe freely on bright mornings, 

 and be sure to syringe well beneath the foliage in order 

 to check red spider, which usually attacks the lower 

 surface of the leaves. As the growths develop and flower 



