BRIEF REMARKS. 43 



their scapes and leaves begin to grow ; then slightly water, gradually 

 increasing the quantity. They will flower and ripen seed well, espe- 

 cially if artificial impregnation has been attended to. Success in 

 ripening the seed depends on the following precautions : — avoid chang- 

 ing the pot from its place ; keep the heat at from 10 to 12 degrees 

 Reaumer (that is from 55 to 60 of Fahrenheit) at the least, and never 

 allow it to get below 50 of Fahrenheit ; water whenever required, but 

 moderately at a time. The production of seed never injures the 

 bulb." — M. L. Van Houtte. 



Culture of One- Year-Old Roses in Pots. — In the Gardener's 

 Magazine of Botany, Mr. Saul, of Durdham Down Nursery, near 

 Bristol, writes that, with Roses in pots, the second season, " I prefer 

 potting in this way : I procure a quantity of turfs as they are brought 

 from the field, and very rough, pretty dry, well decomposed cow-dung. 

 The pots being drained, I tear off one or two large pieces of the turf, 

 and put it into the bottom of the pot on the drainage, top downwards." 

 On this the ball of roots is placed, and if not sufficient to raise it up as 

 high as is necessary, a mixture of turf and cow-dung is added. Being 

 placed, he tears off pieces of turf about six inches long and two broad, 

 and two deep ; about four of such pieces are crammed (end down- 

 wards) between the ball and the pot side, and the spaces between the 

 turfs are filled up with large pieces of rough cow-dung ; and this being 

 done, some of the mixed materials are added, and the entire pressed 

 together, so that no cavities are left. 



He observes, " this manner of potting may appear strange to some," 

 but with proper after-treatment the vigour and the beauty of the plants 

 the following season, will be to them equally novel. Tea, China, and, 

 in fact, any other pot Roses will bloom magnificently. Mr. Saul 

 recommends the plants being kept in a cold frame or pit, south aspect, 

 and plants to be elevated up, pots upside-down, and the plants to be 

 near the glass. All the air possible, so that frost is excluded, is given ; 

 but little water in winter. And early in spring some of the top soil is 

 scraped off. and a dressing of the ricli mixture compost is given. Manure 

 water applied once a fortnight, through the growing and blooming , 

 season. He prunes and trains the plants, so that those which are 

 climbers form pyramids each three or four feet high, or any other 

 desirable shape. This is readily done by having either wood or iron 

 forms to tie to. 



Ayrshire Roses. — Five years ago you recommended in the 

 Cabinet, that where banks or dells existed in pleasure-grounds or 

 woods that were frequented, it would produce a pleasing appearance to 

 have them covered with the Ayrshire Roses. I was thereby induced 

 to adopt the plan in my grounds upon several steepish slopes and two 

 hollows, and with the most satisfactory result. On the slopes there are 

 a few Sloe-bushes, and against these I had Roses planted. The ground 

 now is wholly concealed ; and when the Sloe-bushes have ceased their 

 own floral display they are the supporters of numerous drooping 

 branches, beautifully ornamented with lovely Roses, and the surface o 

 the bushes are in appearance, each, one large Rose-bush, and the 

 slopes a mass of varied beauties. I planted a few at a distance from 

 the stems of some large trees, and trained the shoots up to ornament 



