March.'} ROSES. 57 



jhoots to be layered, or kept clown by pegs m tne gro ind, 

 having the points of the shoots only to appear above the aoil, 

 which should be covered with moss. With this treatment, 

 in a few years the whole surface of the basket will be covered 

 with rose-buds and leaves, of one or various sorts. If two or 

 three of the larger growing sorts are taken, such as Muss or 

 Provins, they may be trained so as to cover a surface of 

 several square yards. 



A modern invention in the cultivation of the rose is to 

 grow them in shape of trees, by budding on strong-grow- 

 ing kinds at different heights from the ground, according to 

 taste, and the purposes intended. If budded on Rosa cd- 

 nina, or Dog Rose, they are much more valuable : it is a last- 

 ing and strong-growing stock ; and the worst of all stocks is 

 the Boursalt rose, and it is too frequently resorted to, being 

 easy of propagation. They will form in a few years hand- 

 some round heads, which will flower more freely than by 

 layers, or trained on their own stalk. They are particularly 

 desirable among low shrubs. When planted, they should be 

 well supported by strong rods, to prevent the wind from de- 

 stroying them. If any of the roots have been bruised in 

 lifting, cut off the bruised part with the knife, and likewise 

 shorten the young shoots ; breaking the earth well about 

 their roots when planting. The rose has been an esteemed 

 shrub among all civilized nations. The flowers are double, 

 semi-double, and single ; the colours are pink, red, purple, 

 white, yellow, and striped, with almost every shade and mix- 

 ture ; the odour universally grateful. This plant is cultivat- 

 ed in every garden, from the humblest cottager to the loftiest 

 prince, and by commercial gardeners in Europe extensively, 

 for distilling rose-water, and making the essential oil of roses. 

 They delight in a rich loamy soil, and require plenty of 

 moisture while in a growing state. Those sorts which throw 

 up numerous suckers should be lifted every three or four 

 years, reduced, and then transplanted. When thus removing 

 inem, avoid, as much as possible, exposing their roots ; and 

 when newly planted, mulching is of considerable advantage; 

 that is, putting half-rotten stable-manure on the surface of 

 the ground round their roots, which prevents evaporation, 

 and keeps up a constant moisture. If this were done in 

 general to our roses in dry seasons, it would greatly improve 

 their flowering. For Chinese and other roses, see next month. 



