EXTRACTS. 185 



straggling bush, iu which form it has less to recommend it than many other 

 species ; but pruned to a head, on its own stem, it assumes the habit and 

 appearance of a budded standard. All the strong Roses may be grown on 

 their own stems, in precisely the same form as budded stocks. There is no 

 general charm in budding, productive of peculiar growth. The compact 

 head of small laterals can be produced by pruning alone, and so regulated 

 as to be far more ornamental than the loose bushes usually seen. The situ- 

 ation and other circumstances should, of course, influence the taste in adopt- 

 ing any particular mode of training. Where Rose trees form fence lines, 

 the natural fence-like character should be assumed ; but where there is no 

 attempt at natural grouping — where the charm is dependent on the neatness, 

 on the floral elegance, and nicety of keeping in detail, Roses may be so 

 pruned as greatly to aid the design. Here it is that dwarf standards should 

 embellish the picture. If Roses be already established in proper situations 

 for standards, it only remains that attention be paid to pruning, and this 

 peculiarity of form may at once be produced. It is true that all Roses are 

 not equally suitable for the purpose ; but those of the more delicate Chinese 

 species, whose stems would not strengthen into a sufficiently firm standard, 

 may be budded, and certainly with some advantage to the size of their 

 flowers. We aim not aj superseding the budding of standards, but at bring- 

 ing into view the mure easy means of arriving at similar results; of which 

 means, from the pressure of fashion, cultivators seem to have lost sight. To 

 effect this purpose, young free-growing suckers should in summer be tied to 

 upright stakes, and kept quite free of small lateral shoots. When they are 

 as tall as is required, stop them by cutting half an inch off their tops. If 

 this can be done in the middle of summer, side shoots will be soon emitted, 

 all of which should be cut off excepting the three upper ones. In the suc- 

 ceeding February, prune each of these three laterals back to within two or 

 three eyes or buds of the stem, and they will flower in the summer. If the 

 suckers be not tall enough in one season, another season must be taken, 

 observing the same general rules. 



2. Geranium Ibericum, Iberian Crane's Bill. Monadelphia, Decandria. 

 (ieraniaceie. This free-flowering species of Geranium is a native of Iberia, 

 from whence it was introduced in 1802. It is a perennial, grows two feet 

 high, and flowers from Juno to August. It will flourish in almost any soil 



and aspect. 



3. Cryptostemma calendulaceum, Marygold-flowered Cryptostemma. Syn- 

 gl n< sia, l'nisti.inea. Composita,'. Introduced from the Cape of Good Hope 

 in 17./2. It is an annual; grows eighteen inches high, and flowers iu July 

 and August. The 3eed, if sown in the open border, should not be sown till 

 the and of April ; but it is far better to sow it three weeks sooner in a hot- 

 bed, which will ensure an earlier blossom, and a greater chance of fertile 



naflt 



1. Sedum opposili/olium, Opposite-leaved Stonecrop. Decandria, Penta- 

 xynia. (russulacca\ This is a very ornamental plant for rock-work, both 

 when it is in flower and out Almost any situation will suit it. It is a 

 native of the south of Europe. Grows six inches high, and flowers from 

 July U> September. Tin- Latin word, sederc, to sit, constitutes the root of 

 i ■ aerie name SedlUT ; it is intended to apply to the close manner of 



mUi "f the plants of this genus on their native rocks. 



Vol. II. o B 



