OBSERVATIONS ON THE CULTIVATION OP HOSES IN POTS. 291 



and others from the ground ; and such as have grown moderatelv, 

 ■with well-ripened wood, should be chosen. The sized pots best 

 suited are Nos. 32, 24, 16, and 12, according to the size of the plant; 

 and they should be well drained. In potting, the soil should be 

 pressed firmly in the pots, watering freely afterwards, through a fine 

 rose, to settle the soil about their roots. The cultivation of the au- 

 tumnals on their own roots may be commenced at any season, as 

 they are usually kept growing in pots. If purchased in spring, id 

 60-sized pots, they may be immediately shifted into 48's, then 

 plunged and watered continually, as required. Our aim being to get 

 the plants strong, they should not be suffered to flower; and we should 

 endeavour, through the growing season, to bring them to form a few 

 vigorous shoots in preference to a greater number of weak ones. To 

 accomplish this, it is advisable to rub out some of the buds when 

 first pushing, but keeping in view the handsome formation of the 

 plant. The plants may be shifted on through the season, and in the 

 following spring we shall probably find them in 16 or 12-sized pots, 

 preparing for a vigorous growth and bloom. 



" Thinning out. — When potting, all suckers should be cut out 

 from the worked plants, and straggling shoots shortened back to 

 within a few eyes. Where too thick, some of the shoots may be cut 

 out entirely. From three to ten, according to the age or growth of 

 the plant, being in most cases sufficient. Thinning in summer, im- 

 mediately after flowering, is very beneficial. The best-ripened shoots 

 should be left, and such as stand in the best position for the well 

 forming of the plant. The shoots left may be shortened in November 

 and March; some at both periods, to obtain an early and late bloom. 



" Soil. — The soil in which I have found them succeed well, and 

 have generally used, is two parts of fresh turfy loam, broken up, but 

 not sifted, two parts manure (road-gatherings laid by for a season, or 

 the remains of a hot-bed not too far decomposed), and one part burnt 

 earth. This compost should be thrown up in a heap in autumn, and 

 turned two or three times during winter, and a little newly-slaked 

 lime scattered throughout, to destroy worms and grubs. This is the 

 soil used for the mass ; but, for the delicate varieties (Chinese, &c), 

 it may be improved by the addition of one part leal-mould or well- 

 pulverised manure. 



" Protection. — After potting, the plants taken from the ground 



