82 CULTURE OF THE ROSE. 



mild weather begins, open the frame, and allow the ground 

 to thaw : keeping, however, a close watch upon them ; for, 

 though these depredators like to do their work under 

 cover and in darkness, there is still some little danger of 

 their attacks. As the soil warms, the seeds will begin to 

 come up. Some of the ever-blooming roses may blossom 

 the first season ; but the Hardy June kinds will not show 

 bloom before the third, or even the fourth year. If the 

 plants are too crowded, pull up some of them when the 

 ground is softened after a rain, and plant them in a bed by 

 themselves. In the autumn, take them all up, and heel 

 them in a mouse-proof frame for safe keeping through the 

 winter. In the spring, plant them out in rich soil, a foot 

 apart. They might, indeed, be wintered safely in the frame 

 where they originally grew : but this is attended with one 

 disadvantage ; for many of the seeds will not germinate 

 till the second year ; and, in removing the plants at that 

 time, these infant seedlings would be destroyed ; whereas, 

 by leaving them undisturbed, a second crop may be ob- 

 tained. Care must be taken throughout to keep the frame 

 free from weeds. 



The eminent English rose-grower, Mr. Rivers, recom- 

 mends a method of raising seedlings, which we have not 

 tried, but which we have no doubt is a good one, though 



