CULTURE OP THE ROSE. 47 



a peck of pounded charcoal, and the same quantity of 

 silver sand; make a hot-bed of sufficient strength, say 

 three to four feet in height, of seasoned dung, so that it is 

 not of a burning heat, in a sunny, exposed situation, and 

 on this place the pots ; then fill up all interstices with saw- 

 dust, placing it so as to cover the rims, and to lie on the 

 surface' of the mould in the pots about two inches deep. 

 The pots should have a good sound watering before they 

 are thus plunged, and have water daily in dry weather. 

 The bottom heat and full exposure to the sun and air will 

 give the plants a vigor almost beyond belief. This very 

 simple mode of culture is as yet almost unknown. I have 

 circulated among a few friends the above directions ; and 

 have no doubt, that, in the hands of skilful gardeners, some 

 extraordinary results may be looked for in the production 

 of specimens of soft-wooded plants. I may add, that, 

 when the heat of the bed declines towards the middle of 

 July, the pots must be removed, some fresh dung added, 

 and the bed remade, again plunging the plants immedi- 

 ately. Towards the end of August, the roots of the plants 

 must be ripened : the pots must, therefore, be gradually 

 lifted out of the saw-dust ; i.e., for five or six days, expose 

 them about two inches below their rims; then, after the 

 same lapse of time, a little lower, till the whole of the pot 

 is exposed to the sun and air : they may be then removed 

 to the greenhouse, so as to be sheltered from heavy rain. 

 They will bloom well in the autumn, and be in fine order 



