THE ROSE GARDEN. 97 



to pinch off the flower-buds immediately that they are seen, whereby the plants 

 gain strength and produce better flowers later in the season : but it is advisable 

 not to destroy any of the seedlings the first year. Let the whole remain till late in 

 October, then take them up, pruning both roots and tops, and replant them in a 

 soil moderately rich. It is of importance that they be transplanted from the seed- 

 bed in autumn ; for if the operation be deferred beyond winter, there is danger of 

 destroying the seeds which have hitherto lain dormant, and which often vegetate 

 very early in the second spring. 



When transplanting, sort out the strongest plants, and place them about a foot 

 apart : the weaker ones may then be set together at less distances. After plant- 

 ing, it will be well to water and shade for a few days, should there be much sun, 

 and even to cover against frost, if such occur before the plants are firmly settled in 

 the ground. This may be done by sticking single boughs, or fern-branches, among 

 them ; or, better still, by the use of mats. 



In the following summer and autumn the flowers of many will appear. All 

 that are single, or nof clear in colour, may be destroyed ; also any where the out- 

 line is irregular. But if the outline be good, the colour clear, and the flower pos- 

 sessed only of an ordinary degree of fulness, it should be preserved, even though 

 apparently inferior to varieties already known ; for the seedling has not yet passed 

 through the high routine of culture the named varieties have, andj its properties 

 are not fully developed. It is often capable of great improvement. 



As the seedlings blow, whenever one strikes the fancy it should be tied up to a 

 stick, a number attached to it, and its properties entered against the number in a 

 note-book ; then watch for the buds being in a good state, and bud one or two 

 stocks to prove the variety. As it would occupy much time to bud all the seed- 

 lings, the seedling plant of any that is of doubtful merit may be grown for two or 

 three years, when its real worth will become apparent. But it should be told, that 

 budding on the Dog-rose, or any free stock, enables us to form a correct opinion 

 of a variety a year or two sooner than we can do by trusting to the seedling plant. 

 Therefore, if stocks are not scarce, and the cultivator has leisure, it may be in- 

 teresting to bud a plant or two of any variety, the flowers or foliage of which may 

 appear to him likely to make it interesting. 



Mildew is the most discouraging visitant among seedling Roses. It is bad 

 enough anywhere, but it seems to attack them here with redoubled virulence, and 

 it is astonishing how suddenly it appears, spreading death and desolation in its 

 track. It must be watched for, and, when first discovered, dust the plants with 

 sulphur, on a calm evening if possible, having first sprinkled or syringed them, that 

 the sulphur may stick on. This sometimes requires repeating at short intervals, 

 for it is not a preventive, but a temporary cure. 



As winter approaches, it is necessary to provide some protection against frost. 

 The plants of the tender kinds, being young, are extremely delicate, and 

 likely to suffer much from intense cold. If such have been sown in the bor- 



{Div. I.) s 



