64< FLOWERS AND THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



attended to, with the knife, at the end of March or 

 beginning of April, and they do not generally require 

 close pruning. Especially with the tea-scented and 

 China roses, only thin out small weak wood, and shorten 

 the sprays a little. In the vigorous growing Noisettes 

 the shoots should be left long. That fine yellow rose, 

 the Cloth of Gold, is worthy of great care on account of 

 its beauty, but it is a shy bloomer. It must have a 

 place against a south wall, be well manured every year, 

 and have no more pruning than just enough to keep it 

 trained. To make it bloom, get it to grow freely; when 

 established and in vigorous growth it will bloom freely, 

 both in summer and autumn. In severe winters it 

 must be protected. 



Banksian roses will seldom bloom until they have 

 been established three or four years. They must be 

 pruned after the flower has gone off, which is generally 

 the end of May or beginning of June ; shorten long 

 vigorous shoots nearly a third ; the bloom comes on the 

 one and two years' old wood. 



An attempt to enter into the merits of all the 

 varieties of all the different classes would spread out 

 the sechapters to too great a length ; but those who wish 

 to judge and select can easily get a good choice in the 

 published lists at the flower shows, or from the rose- 

 growers. 



In selecting for planting, we want to know of each 

 one, the kind, the habit of growth, and the colour ; and 

 all these items are specially noted in rose catalogues 

 published by all the rose-growers who exhibit at the 

 flower shows : these lists are laid round the stands for 

 the use of visitors at the horticultural meetings, or are 

 willingly sent by the rose-growers to any who may 

 apply for them ; and therein we may find all our named 

 favourites, with all their characteristics noted down, and 

 the price of each. 



The following are the important points of a good 

 rose : Constitution should be hardy, healthy, and of a 

 tolerably robust habit of growth, with good foliage, and 

 a good bloomer. The flower must be fine in form, full, 



