332 POPULAR GARDEN FLOWERS 



certainly doubly repay the outlay upon them. Those 

 Rose-lovers who would like to have a complete Rose 

 garden could form an enclosure with a rustic fence, 

 planted with Roses, or a Sweetbrier hedge, or with 

 pillars connected with chains or top pieces. Otherwise, 

 a series of pillars, connected at the top either with 

 chains or lighter poles, could be set alongside a walk 

 leading to a summer-house. If there was no arbour, 

 an arch at each end would be both beautiful and 

 appropriate. Whatever timber is used should be well 

 seasoned. Nominally oak lasts many years, but 

 "green" oak may rot in two or three seasons. On 

 the other hand, with seasoned wood even larch and 

 chestnut, which are not potentially so durable as oak, 

 may remain sound for eight or ten years. Nine-feet 

 poles will be long enough, two and a half feet in the 

 ground, and six and a half feet out. They may be 

 anything from six to nine inches thick. The bark 

 should be stripped off the part to be plunged, which 

 may be painted with melted tar and dusted with sand 

 to assist in preserving it. Four-inch poles will be 

 large enough for the top (and also for the sides in the 

 case of a pergola), but old chains are often used ; 

 they are not drawn tight, but are allowed to sag in 

 the middle. Strong Roses may be expected to cover 

 them in two seasons if the soil is good. If suitable 

 timber for arches is difficult to get, the ironmonger's 

 wire arches need not be despised, as very little metal 

 is exposed when the Roses have been established a 

 year or two. Specially long nails or spikes should be 

 used to connect top and side poles with the pillars, as 

 it is necessary that they should be well secured. 



Exhibiting. It often happens that after a year or 

 two of Rose culture the charm and interest of the 



