i86 The Canadian Horticui.turist. 



EXPOSURE FOR A ROSE BED. 



A friend inquires what is the best exposure for a rose bed. We would say 

 that any exposure is good enough, the main point being to have the soil in proper 

 condition, which is that it shall have good drainage and be well enriched. On 

 a level surface, especially, must the drainage be well attended to, but this is 

 scarcely less necessary on hillsides even of considerable declivity, if the soil is 

 heavy. A slope to the east, or the north, we think most desirable for roses, for 

 the reason that the blooms will last longer, and there is less danger from severe 

 freezing in winter. ' A southern exposure might give a little earlier bloom but it 

 would be of shorter duration and the danger of injury in winter is greater, and the 

 same is true of a western exposure. But if circumstances should decide any one 

 of these exposures it should not exclude the pleasure of a rose bed. Experiences 

 might vary with the different exposures, and varieties which might succeed with 

 one might not be so well adapted to another, but this is true in regard to all 

 locations. The rose is so beautiful and desirable, and with moderate attention 

 will bloom so generously, that it should be universally planted, and that not 

 sparingly. — Vick's Monthly. 



Frag-rance of La France Rose. 



Not one of the least of the qualities we desire in a rose is fragrance ; in this 

 regard all classes must do homage to La France, which H. W. EUwanger charac- 

 terizes as the sweetest of all roses. If he were compelled to choose one variety 

 it would be La France. It is rather tender, but it can easily be protected, and 

 so winter safely. It does not always open well, but it is a simple matter to assist 

 it ; an operation not practicable with most varieties that do not open perfectly. 

 If La France does not develop well, by pressing gently with the finger the point 

 of the bloom, and then blowing into the center, the flower will almost invariably 

 expand, the pent up fragrance escape and almost intoxicate with delight our sense 

 of smell.— R. Y. N. 



Herbaceous Plants in Summer.— The great majority of hardy peren 

 nial flowers are natives of woods or grassy places where the earth is shaded from 

 the summer suns. When they are removed to open borders they suffer seriously 

 from summer heat. It is, therefore, good practice in these open sunny situa- 

 tions to have the ground mulched, — that is to say, covered with something like 

 decayed leaves or half-rotted straw, or anything that will prevent the scorching 

 rays of the sun on the earth. Herbaceous plants do not care so much for bright 

 sun as they do for a cool soil at the roots. For the same reason a loose, open 

 soil is better for growing herbaceous plants than soil of a heavier character, 

 because having more air spaces, it is cooler. In short, it is a cool soil more 

 than shade that herbaceous plants require. — Mechan's Monthly. 



