THE ROSE GARDEN. 47 



beautiful indeed they are, creeping over the rugged branches of the trees, their 

 tortuous stems shewing here and there, and their beautiful flowers and leaves 

 glistening among the boughs above. And why should not Roses be brought to 

 fill like positions. Let the Ayrshire be planted in spots where they obtain a little 

 light, and they will do. But it will be well to give them every encouragement at 

 the outset. Remove the soil at the root of the tree to the depth of eighteen inches, 

 and for two or three feet square, filling up the opening with two-thirds good turfy 

 loam, well intermixed with one-third manure, rich, but not too fresh. In this 

 they may be planted. Train them for the first year or two, until they get good 

 hold of the trees ; then manure them annually. Prune very little ; and there is 

 no doubt they will flower well, and lend additional interest and beauty to the 

 shrubbery-walks by the relief and variety they give. 



In some places, where the shrubbery-walks are extensive, we have seen groups 

 of Roses introduced with good effect. 



It is probably the best plan here to have the arrangement as simple as possible, 

 that it may be comprehended at a glance. It should be entirely concealed from 

 distant view, to the end that some little surprise may be created, by finding our- 

 selves unexpectedly greeted in our course with a mass of these lovely flowers. 

 Planting simply in straight rows about four deep appears an excellent method; 

 and the plants may be arranged to slope gradually from the back to the front. 

 The entrance at each end might be arched over with wire-work ; or even two or 

 three rustic poles fixed upright on either side the walk, and arched over, would 

 be in perfect harmony with the design. Round and over these poles and arches 

 Climbing Roses may be induced to grow, mingling the colours, or not, as taste 

 may suggest, but taking care that the varieties be abundant bloomers, and of 

 similar growth. If the arches are too long, the light is excluded from the inte- 

 rior, and the flowers all draw to the top, in which position they are not seen. If 

 it is wished to have an arched Rose-walk, the arches should not exceed two feet 

 in length, and they should be placed about a yard apart. The effect produced in 

 viewing the walk from either end is the same as if the arches covered the whole 

 space of ground ; and when passing under them, the flowers hang drooping from 

 the sides and top, and are then seen to advantage. 



But to return. From the situation (the Shrubbery), the rare and perfect kinds 

 of Roses will not be looked for here : the beholder will very probably not stay 

 long enough to examine them critically, and the aim should be to produce an 

 impression at first sight. This may be done by choosing the showy free flowering 

 kinds, such as are famed for the quantity of flowers they produce, for beauty en 

 masse, and brilliancy of colour, in preference to those possessed of great symmetry 

 of form, or exactitude of habit. Many of the Chinese, Hybrid Chinese, and Noi- 

 sette Roses, are of this kind. 



Such a plantation as that just described exists at Ponsbourne Park, Herts, the 

 seat of Wynn Ellis, Esq. M.P. The entrance on either side is arched over with 

 rustic poles, for a distance of a few yards ; the arch is so curved that the plantation 



