100 THE ROSE GARDEN. 



will prolong the blooming season till February ; and during this and the three fol- 

 lowing months forced Roses may be obtained in beauty and abundance. 



These are the principal advantages gained by growing Roses in pots. But we 

 would not press our favourite immodestly on the attention of our readers. Suffice 

 it to record our opinion : if the Rose is a suitable plant for Pot-culture, it will un- 

 doubtedly continue to gain friends ; if not, no praise of ours can essentially 

 serve it. 



In entering on this branch of culture, the first point that should engage our at- 

 tention is to provide a good heap of soil for the plants to grow in. The groups 

 and varieties differing greatly in their nature and habits, it will appear reasonable 

 that more than one sort will be required, if all kinds are to receive that most 

 suitable. All like a rich soil, which should be made light for the delicate- 

 rooting varieties, and more tenacious for the robust hardy kinds. 



To form a light soil, procure one barrow of seasoned turfy loam, half a barrow 

 of well decomposed stable manure, half a barrow of leaf mould, and silver sand in 

 proportion to the texture of the loam, which will in no case require more than 

 one-fourth of its own bulk. 



The heavy soil may be composed of one barrow of stiff turfy loam, one barrow 

 of night-soil that has been mixed with loam, as previously advised (see p. 29, 

 Div. I.), and laid by for a year, half a barrow of leaf-mould or well-pulverized 

 manure, and sand as before recommended. 



Night-soil may be thought too powerful a manure, but it may be used with 

 safety, provided it has been mixed with loam, and well-seasoned previously by 

 frequent turnings. The addition of about one-sixth of a barrow* of burnt earth 

 will be found to improve both composts. The materials should be thrown to- 

 gether at least three months before required for use, and turned frequently, that 

 the integrant parts may become well incorporated, and ripened by exposure to 

 the sun and air. The sieve is in neither case necessary, for as large pots will be 

 principally used, the coarser, in moderation, the soil is, the better will the plants 

 thrive. 



It is our intention, at the end of this Work, to give a list of the kinds thought 

 most suitable for Pot-culture ; but as many may prefer searching our descriptive 

 lists for themselves, let us here consider what features are most worthy of notice 

 when selecting for this purpose. In the Pamphlet on the Cultivation of Roses in 

 Pots,* published three years since, the following points were given, and I do not 

 know that I can offer any further suggestions : — 



1. Elegance of habit; regarding both growth and manner of flowering. 



2. Contrast of colour. 



3. Abundance of bloom. 



* Observations on the Cultivation of Roses in Pots, &c, by W. Paul. Sherwood and Co., 

 London. 



