60 FLOWERS AND THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



stock, do not require such a stiff soil as those on the dog- 

 rose, but all light soils for roses will be benefited by a 

 good allowance of surface manure. In making beds for 

 tea-scented and China roses on their own roots, dig out 

 the earth to a good depth, and lay in a layer six or eight 

 inches deep of draining material, and then fill in the 

 earth, lightening stiff loam with sand and an abundant 

 supply of leaf-mould and well rotted manure. Where 

 roses are planted on a lawn, a circle of earth should be 

 cleared round them to make beds for them. 



Roses on briar or other stocks may be planted in 

 November or December ; but if the ground be wet, or 

 not in good condition, then the planting may be delayed 

 until February or early in March. Tea-scented and other 

 tender kinds may be planted out in the end of March ; 

 and tea-scented, China, hybrid perpetual, and Bourbons, 

 on their own roots, not before April. 



Those who buy rose-trees should bespeak them, or 

 select and mark them early in autumn, to prevent the 

 disappointment arising from buying after the nursery 

 stock has been picked over. If they are received before 

 the best time for planting, shorten the long fibrous roots, 

 and never let the roots get dry, but put them in earth 

 directly; lay them in by the heels, as gardeners call it. 

 Tea and tender Noisettes can be put in under a wall, 

 where they can be sheltered with mats, or somehow pro- 

 tected from frost, until they may be finally planted, 

 Choose a fine day for planting, when the earth is moist, 

 but not wet enough to stick to the spade or shoe. Grood 

 compost is, for light soils, well rotted cow manure and 

 rich stiff loam from an old pasture ; and for stiif land 

 the manure, with sand or burnt earth, allowing a barrow- 

 ful each to large trees and half that quantity to small 

 ones. Dig the hole for the root quite large enough, 

 spread the roots evenly to their full extent, level the 

 earth and shake it in about the roots, holding the plant 

 the while, that it may not sink too deep, and tread in the 

 earth. Care must be taken not to plant dog-rose stocks 

 too deep. Manetti stocks, on the contrary, are worked 

 quite low down, to allow of their being planted so that 



