ON THE PLEASURE OF FLOWERS, &C. 201 



it is far preferable to allow it to remain. Care should be taken to 

 apportion the length and strength of the poles to the estimated 

 height of the plant, for they will look exceedingly clumsy and 

 unsightly if too large or too long, and the habit of the plant should 

 be known. Pruning, when necessary, must be performed with 

 judgment. Many kinds of climbing roses will not bear much 

 pruning, while others may be subjected to it to a considerable 

 extent. Those kinds with weak and flexible shoots, may be left 

 to hang down naturally after they have attained the desired height, 

 thinning them only when they are too numerous ; but such as are 

 stronger and more luxuriant occasionally need shortening, to pre- 

 vent them from growing too spreading. Some of the hardy 

 Passion Flowers, Glycine sinensis, Bignonias, &.c. are most 

 interesting when trained as above and make a splendid display 

 when attached to a pole, they require to be freely pruned, as it is 

 by close pruning that they can be induced to flower freely. 



In villa gardens, and those attached to the numerous suburban 

 residences of gentlemen, in the humble plot of the cottager, or the 

 extensive demesne of the nobleman, climbing roses might be 

 introduced with great advantage and I hope this commendable 

 and interesting practice will soon be extensively adopted. I shall 

 forward for September Cabinet a list of the best kinds of climbers 

 in cultivation. 



Middlesex, July 3rd, 1839. 



ARTICLE III. 



ON THE INTEREST AND PLEASURE OF CULTIVATING FLOWERS. 



BY FLOUA. 



Floriculture, or the cultivation of flowers, is far the most de- 

 lightful branch of gardening. It is true that flowers are not 'essen- 

 tially requisite for man's existence ; but still they were evidently 

 given to us by the Giver of all good for some peculiar purpose, 

 which purpose is very clear to any unprejudiced mind that will 

 give the subject a few moment's consideration. 



They were given, if not to minister to man's actual wants, to 

 minister to his delight, which they do in a very great degree by 

 beautifying the earth. 



When I state that the cultivation of flowers is productive of 

 interest and amusement, I must observe thai there are several 



Vol.. VII. No. 79. aa 



