THE DOUBLE YELLOW ROSE. 15 



In certain districts of Suffolk, in Sussex, and in the Isle of Wight, it is said to 

 bloom well generally. 



I am informed by a friend, a great Rose amateur, that at Ballater, in Scotland, 

 both this and the Austrian Rose flower beautifully. He has seen them there 

 growing most luxuriantly, in a very exposed situation, covering a wall of great 

 height and extent, laden with perfect flowers. 



Mr. Cunningham of Edinburgh informs me that there is a plant on a south 

 wall in that neighbourhood which flowers to perfection every year. The main 

 stem and branches are as large as those of a Pear-tree, and bushels of flowers 

 might be gathered from them in the season. 



In these Nurseries the plant to which allusion is made in the First Division of 

 this work was grown on its own roots, trained to a west wall, where it flowered 

 constantly and well. The soil in which it grew was originally a heavy loam ; but 

 having been occupied as garden ground for a century or two, it presents more 

 the appearance of black garden mould. The sub-soil is gravel. 



In some parts of Italy perfect flowers are produced with so much certainty, 

 that it is cultivated as a market-plant ; and it is often met with in the markets in 

 various parts of France. 



I think one thing is tolerably clear : our climate generally is not suited for its 

 cultivation ; and this presents a difficulty not easily overcome. Locality is evi- 

 dently of vast importance ; and a locality with a pure dry atmosphere is preferable 

 to any other. In dry, mild seasons it has flowered in its favourite haunts in 

 England better than at other times ; and then in places where, in less favourable 

 seasons, it would not flower. I have never heard of its flowering near London, 

 or in the immediate neighbourhood of any large manufacturing town. There we 

 may plant it ; but no one can say whether it will ever produce perfect blossoms 

 or not. The fact of its doing so, is an anomaly — rather the exception than the 

 rule. Notwithstanding this, its beauty, when perfect, tempts many to cultivate it : 

 and let us consider the most reasonable means of obtaining success. I believe 

 one point has been too much overlooked, both by cultivators and writers on this 

 subject — the general health of the plant. Let the cultivator procure, in the first 

 instance, a healthy and vigorous plant, and, if possible, keep it in a healthy con- 

 dition. It must be borne in mind, however, that it is possible to produce an over- 

 growth : a moderate course is best. Do not tempt it to grow too exuberantly, 

 nor suffer it to dwindle, producing shoots resembling weak straws. Half the 

 plants which I have seen have been in this latter condition, unhealthy, debilitated, 

 literally starved, and often swarming with insects. Can such be expected to 

 develop perfect flowers ? This state of things may answer (barring the insects), 

 applied to some varieties, whose flowers are too full to expand under ordinary cir- 

 cumstances : indeed it does answer ; but it will not do so in this instance. I would 

 advise all who desire to cultivate the Double Yellow Rose to plant it on a 

 border with an eastern or western aspect ; not training it to a wall, but growing 

 it as a round bush. Let the locality be airy, the soil rather heavy, and tolerably 

 rich. So soon as the buds break, set a watch over the plant to keep it free from 



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