206 VILLA GARDENING part ii 



idea of a bed of fermenting materials, as manure alone would be 

 unsafe to use. Cocoa-fibre as a plunging material has its advan- 

 tages, especially as regards neatness in appearance and regularity 

 of temperature and moisture. On no account should too many 

 plants be crowded into the house, as the residt will be disap- 

 pointing. 



Roses in Pots. — If the plants have to be piu'chased, select 

 them not later than the first or second week in December. Have 

 them home at once. Shorten their roots a little, and also shorten 

 back their longest shoots — not to prune them finally, but just to 

 relieve the heads a little. Pot them according to size in pots 

 suitable for them, using drainage in the bottom, as we shovdd do 

 for Geraniums or such like plants. Then plunge the pots in a 

 bed of leaves or litter in the open ah", and if frost comes before 

 the plants are moved into the house scatter a little long litter over 

 the tops of the pots also. 



Though the house may be unhealed the first year,, yet it will 

 be better if a 4-inch flow and return pipe are taken round the 

 house to keep out severe frost, or the heating apparatus may, if 

 desired, be employed to force the blooms on in spring, starting it 

 gently about Christmas. During the time the plants in pots are 

 plunged' in the open air the roots will not be idle, as may be 

 ascertained if we turn a plant out of its pot and examine its 

 condition. Just previous to taking the plants in the house the 

 pruning should be completed. In order to get a good base to 

 build upon during the immediately succeeding and following 

 summers, the plants should be cut rather hard back, cutting out 

 all weakly growths, and shortening the main shoots to some 5 or 

 6 inches. If started gently, all the dormant eyes will break, and 

 plenty of wood for future use will be obtained. Especially will 

 this be the case if the leaf-bed can be had to plunge in. In 

 buying the Roses it should be ascertained that all have been 

 budded close to the ground. Careless budders sometimes, to save 

 themselves from having to bend their backs so much, stick the 

 buds in several inches from the ground. Such plants should be 

 discarded, and none but those springing directly from the ground 

 taken. These, when planted or potted, should have the stock, 

 whether Brier or Mannetti, buried beneath the soil. This will 

 ultimately place the plant on its own roots, as the base of the 

 budded Rose when in contact with the soil will form roots. 

 Through the growing season a moist genial atmosphere must 

 be maintained, using the syringe daily (twice on fine days) over 

 the foliage of the plants. The roots must be kept in a moist 

 healthy condition, giving liquid maiuire when the blossom buds 



