DESCRIPTION OP THE ROSE. 119 



the snrface in November, and the bed lightly stirred with 

 the fork in February. . . . 



" To raise Moss roses from seed is a most interesting 



O 



employment for the genuine rose amateur ; such a pleasing 

 field is open, and so much may yet be done. The follow- 

 ing directions will, I hope, assist those who have leisure, 

 perseverance, and love for this charming flower. A plant 

 of the Luxembourg Moss, or one of the Celina Moss, and 

 one of the Single Crimson Moss, should be planted against 

 a south wall, close to each other, so that their branches 

 may be mingled. In bright, calm, sunny mornings, in 

 June, about ten o'clock, those flowers that are expanded 

 should be examined by pressing the fingers on the anthers. 

 It will then be found if the pollen be abundant : if so, a 

 flower of the former should be shaken over the latter ; or, 

 what perhaps is better, its flower-stalks should be fastened 

 to the wall, so that the flower will be kept in an erect 

 position. Then cut a flower of the Luxembourg Moss, strip 

 off its petals with a sharp pair of scissors, and place the 

 anthers firmly, but gently, upon a flower of the Single 

 Crimson, so that the anthers of each are entangled : they 

 will keep it in its position : a stiff breeze will then scarcely 

 remove it. The fertilizing will take place without further 

 trouble, and a fine hip full of seed will be the result. To 

 obtain seed from the Luxembourg Moss, I need scarcely 

 say that this operation must be reversed. A wall is not 

 always necessary to ripen seed ; for in dry soils, and airy, 



