POSITION. 6 1 



hood ; and as I have passed through all the grades 

 of Rose-growing, commencing with a dozen only 

 (nay, I well remember the Rose which first won 

 my allegiance, D'Aguesseau Gallica, as a man 

 remembers the first love-smile of his heart's 

 queen), and gradually increased to my present 

 maximum of 5000 (maximum, do I say ? trop 

 n'est pas assez ; and if I had Nottinghamshire 

 full of Roses, I should desire Derbyshire for a 

 budding-ground), I can indentify myself with 

 Rose-growers of all denominations, and with Rose- 

 gardens of every shape and size. 



And the directions which I have offered apply 

 equally to the small as to the larger Rosary — ex- 

 pose to the morning's sunshine, protect from cut- 

 ting wind. Give the best place in your garden to 

 the flower which deserves it most. In the small- 

 est plot, you may make, if you do not find, such 

 a site as I have described. You zuill make it, if 

 you are in earnest. I have seen old boards, old 

 staves (reminding one of the time when the Bor- 

 deaux casks made fences commonly in English 

 gardens), old sacking, torn old tarpaulins — yes, 

 once an old black serge petticoat — set up by the 

 poor to protect the Rose ; and there I have ever 

 seen her smiling upon Love, however mean its of- 

 fering, and rewarding its untiring service 



