SEPTEMBER 259 



The autumn shows, now so fashionable, indicate the 

 varieties best suited to late flowering, but it is better, 

 perhaps, to visit a rose nursery and judge for oneself ; 

 there one gains a knowledge of the growth and general 

 character of the various sorts. Roses that in the gar- 

 den may droop unpleasantly owing to their thin stalks 

 may be made to look very charming when wired and 

 arranged in bunches. I would caution the reader not 

 to be misled by the pillars of cut roses seen at exhibi- 

 tions in September. Some exhibitors even make arches 

 of the Lyons Rose, as if that variety were suitable for 

 this method of training. 



Much of the work recommended for July and August 

 may be done now, especially the hoeing. Buds should 

 be untied, and failures made good by putting in fresh 

 buds. Cuttings may now be inserted in the open 

 garden. Most varieties will strike if firm growths are 

 selected, preferably those that developed prior to mid- 

 summer. Plant the cuttings in beds in the open garden, 

 making them firm on a base of sand, and leaving only 

 one-third above ground. 



Land intended for rose planting in October and 

 November should now be trenched if possible. If it 

 has been used for growing vegetables for some time, and 

 heavily manured, a good dressing of lime or powdered 

 chalk ought to be given. The varieties it is intended to 

 obtain should be decided upon, so that they may be 

 ordered early next month. 



Remove old growths from Hybrid Perpetual roses, 

 retaining only four or six of the current year's shoots. 



