110 THE ROSE GARDEN. 



one. The flower-buds advanced steadily, although some became mouldy and 

 damp, and, as it is termed, "fogged off." Nevertheless, during November and 

 December, many kinds flowered beautifully ; and at Christmas I cut as fine a 

 bunch of roses as could be desired. In wet or damp weather the lights were 

 kept on: in frosty weather there was the further addition of a straw-mat. Lovers 

 of roses! what think you of this? Is a cold pit unworthily occupied with Pot- 

 roses, which shall furnish you with flowers in full beauty in the depth of winter ? 

 It has been seen that the above succeeded well there; though it is questionable 

 whether they would do so every season. Severe frost, should it occur, must in- 

 jure, if not destroy, the flowers. Let them, then, have a place in a greenhouse, 

 giving fire-heat only to dry up dampness and exclude the frost. So soon as they 

 have done flowering they may be removed to a cold pit, giving air plentifully. 

 In March they may be re-potted and pruned, and plunged out of doors, where 

 they will flower again in July. 



Once every year, late in September, or early in October, all, except the plants 

 intended for winter flowering, should be turned out of their pots, shaking away a 

 good portion of the soil, and re-potting them in new or clean pots, larger if 

 thought necessary. Immediately after this operation they should be transferred 

 to some situation where they have the morning sun only — a north border is a 

 good place — and watering must be carefully attended to. When they have 

 remained here for a week or ten days, the pots may be plunged in the ground up 

 to the rims, having manure laid on the surface of the soil. At the time of re- 

 potting, it is advisable, if disbudding has not been followed, to thin out such 

 shoots as will not be required for the succeeding year. 



Whenever plants are grown in cold pits, abundance of air should be given at 

 all seasons. Indeed, the lights need only be used as a shelter against frost or 

 wind, or heavy rain ; dews and slight rains are beneficial in spring and summer. 

 In the flowering season it will be necessary to shade during the middle of the 

 day, when canvas lights should be used instead of glass ones. 



