110 ON THE CULTIVATION OF ROSES IN POTS. 



•with immense trusses of bloom, their semi-double and transient 

 flowers render the greater part not altogether suitable for growing in . 

 pots. A growth not too vigorous, and finely-shaped flowers, should 

 be the criteria with regard to Roses grown in pots as climbers. As 

 a great height, then, is not in this instance desirable, the various 

 Hybrids, the Noisettes, and Bourbons, may be chosen, and trained 

 upwards to about three feet, which will probably be found as high as 

 convenient or manageable : not that we would, however, altogether 

 exclude the Ayrshire and Sempervirens, for among them a few 

 admirable Roses are to be found. 



Now, one great point to be held in view is, to induce the plants 

 to flower from the summit to the ground ; for if a few flowers only 

 are to be produced at the top of the plant, then the dwarfer it can be 

 grown the better. This, complete flowering, judicious pruning, and 

 training, will accomplish. 



Training and Pruning Climbers. 



In training, they may be formed into any shape. Siich varieties 

 as have long twining or flexible shoots may be trained spirally, with 

 which view, in pruning, in the first instance, they should be cut-in 

 close, to induce them to form lengthened shoots, which should be 

 trained in their proper course during the season of growth. By this 

 treatment, in all probability, they will not flower the first year; but 

 if, after this, the main shoots be merely stopped, and the lateral ones 

 cut within a few eyes, an abundance of bloom will be secured the 

 succeeding year. Any superfluous shoots may, of course, be removed ; 

 but under this system of growth a small amount of pruning only is 

 necessary. 



The stiff, erect growing kinds may be formed into short pillars of 

 a pyramidal form, or trained to flat wires. The former presents the 

 most natural appearance ; and to effect this, from three to five shoots 

 may be allowed in the first instance, and pruned of different lengths : 

 these, will throw out laterals, and a short pillar rose is formed. In 

 after seasons they may be pruned, as proposed for other Roses. 



Climbing Varieties. 



Here, then, is a list of such varieties as appear best adapted for 

 this purpose. 



