THE ROSE GARDEN. 



123 



No. 35. & 



Pillar, or Pole Rose. 



was sketched from a plant of the Ayrshire Splendens, the best of the group for a 

 Pillar Rose. The groups thought most suitable for this style of growth are named 

 at p. 53, Div. I. ; but it must not be inferred that all the varieties of those groups are 

 suitable : they require selecting, and those denominated vigorous, or robust, in the 

 descriptive part of this work, are best for the purpose. . But what are the proper 

 supports for Pillar Roses ? Iron is doubtless the most durable, but also the most 

 expensive : nevertheless, where expense is not a primary consideration, it is thought 

 preferable. The supports more generally used are larch poles, which have a very 

 rustic appearance when cut from the woods with the snags left projecting a few 

 inches : these hold the shoots in place, and prevent them from being torn about by 

 the wind. But the want of durability is a great drawback on the value of these 

 poles. In the course of three or four years, just as the Rose has covered the 

 pole, the latter often decays at the surface of the ground, a strong gale of wind 

 lays it prostrate, and the result is sometimes disastrous to the plant. To counter- 

 act this as far as possible, it is well to char about two feet of the lower end of the 

 pole, inserting eighteen inches only in the ground. The advantage of larch poles 

 for Pillar Roses is, the rustic appearance they present, relieving the often-tiring 



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