CULTURE OP THE ROSE. 57 



placed shoots, tying out the rest, as they grow, to stakes, 

 in order to bring the plant into a symmetrical form. This 

 form is a matter of taste with the cultivator : it may be a 

 half-globe, *.fan, or a pyramid or cone. The last is usually 

 the best ; one strong stem being allowed to grow in the 

 centre, and smaller stems trained in gradation around it. 

 None must interfere with their neighbors, and air should 

 have free play through the plant. 



You have reached the second autumn, and your plants 

 are now excellent for forcing ; but, if you aim at first-class 

 specimens, you must give them, at the least, one season 

 more of growth and training. To this end, keep them 

 dormant through the winter in a cellar or cold frame as 

 before, and prune them early in spring. We will sup- 

 pose that a pyramidal plant is desired. As soon as they 

 are pruned, draw the lower shoots downwards over the 

 rim of the pot, just beneath which a wire should pass 

 around, to which the shoots are to be tied with strings of 

 bass-matting. The shoots higher up are to be arranged, 

 with the aid of sticks and strings, so as to decrease in cir- * 

 cumference till they terminate in a point. Constant care 

 and some judgment are needed throughout the growing 

 season to preserve symmetry of form. Strong shoots must be 

 pinched back, and weak ones encouraged. Both the plant, 



