29*4 THE ROSE. 



months. The soil need not be stirred till spring, and then merely 

 loosened two or three inches deep with the prongs of a fork ; for poor 

 soils, and on lawns, previously removing the turf, this will be found 

 most efficacious. For protecting the Bourbon, Chinese, Tea-scented, 

 and other Roses, on their own roots, nothing can be better than moss 

 procured from shad}' banks or woods. It should be placed round each 

 plant, one or two inches from the stem and branches, not closer, about 

 nine inches or a foot thick. This prevents the ground from being 

 frozen; and, although the tops of the slioots may be killed, they grow 

 vigorously from the root on the return of mild weather. This cover- 

 ing may be applied early in December, and remain around the plants 

 till the end of March, or even later, if a cold backward spring. 



" All the Tea-scented and otlier Roses on short stems, for potting, 

 should have tlieir roots closely pruned. If potted before the close of 

 November, they will bear gentle forcing the first season ; after potting, 

 they should be placed on a gentle hotbed, the pots plunged two inches 

 above tlieir rims in sawdust or old tan ; they should remain there till 

 the beginning of January ; if the frost is very severe, their heads may 

 be protected with hay or litter. When removed to the forcing-house, 

 their heads should be cut in to within three or four buds. Placing the 

 plants in bottom-heat makes them put forth young roots, so that they 

 will bear gentle forcing nearly as well as if established one year in 

 pots. For gentle forcing, the house should have fire-heat during the 

 day onlj', unless frosty, and in February and March a free admission of 

 air ; in sunny weather, syringe the plants in the morning at nine 

 o'clock. 



" As Roses are now annually exported to a large extent, I feel that 

 I ought to mention the most eligible modes of packing, the result of 

 considerable experience. For the East and West Indies, and all dis- 

 tant warm climates, tlie only safe method is to plant tliem in a Ward's 

 case, in a small quantity of mould, with moss carefully fastened to its 

 surface, so as to prevent any disturbance. For North America and all 

 parts of the continent of Europe, they may be sent with perfect safety 

 from November till February, the root of each plant closely enveloped 

 in dry moss, and packed in a strong close case. Roses from pots sliould 

 be taken out of their pots, and the ball of earth closely packed in dry 

 moss. Tlie early autumnal months are the most favourable for export- 

 ing all descriptions of Roses grown in pots." 



Speaking of China Roses, Mr. Rivers gives the following excellent 

 advice: — " For beds for the flower garden, on their own roots, these 

 Roses ought to be cultivated in preference to many annuals, they are 

 so constantly in flower during tlie summer and autumn, and give so 

 little trouble. China Roses form beautiful low standards for a group ; 

 to insure their succeeding perfectly, these should be taken up about the 

 end of November, and placed against a north wall, their roots placed 

 in the ground with their heads resting against the wall, over which a 

 mat sliould be nailed in severe weather. They may be planted out 

 towards the end of March, and they will bloom in great perfection 

 during the summer and autumn. The same treatment is recommended 

 for Standard, Tea-scented, and other tender Roses." 



