sgth January, A. D. 1891. 



ESSAY 



IJY 



WILLIAM H. SPOONER, 



President of Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



Theme: — Garden Roses; and their Culture. 



The taste for the cultivation of the Rose is constantly increas- 

 ing, and the demand for the finer class of flowers is steadily 

 growing ; and the first question that a would-be grower naturally 

 asks, is, " What varieties shall I plant, and how shall it be 

 done to the best advantage? What class of plants shall be used 

 for the purpose, the so-called worked, or the own-root plant?" 

 There seems to be a peculiar fascination in this study even for 

 persons of the highest culture ; the yearly changes in the rose 

 garden are so many that the charm never ceases. My friend 

 Francis Parkman, the eminent historian, is a living example of 

 its influence, and has given it expression in his charming pub- 

 lished work upon the Rose. 



The late George Bancroft, statesman and historian, found that 

 his rose garden furnished one of his most healthful exercises, to 

 which he was largely indebted for his good health ; and even if 

 one does not attend to the practical details of culture, there is 

 great pleasure in the inspection of the flowers. 



As to the soil best adapted for their success, since we are 

 often obliged to conform to the conditions that surround us, 

 almost any soil may be worked into the proper state by careful 

 treatment. Soils best adapted to the rose are those of a some- 

 what tenacious character, or such as are not likely to dry quick- 

 ly ; but any good garden soil, properly trenched after being 

 well drained, and thoroughly sub-soiled will l)e likely to produce 



