86 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the pi'oductions of nature, and arranges them in classes and orders, 

 which he again divides into genera and species, pointing out their 

 propeities and uses, the florist applies the art of culture, with the 

 view of fashioning them to his own taste. Since nature's plants 

 are all open to improvement, the originating new and improved 

 kinds by the product of a mixture of two ditferent species is one 

 of the most fascinating departments of the floricultural artist; 

 who is moving continually amid ideal scenes, knowing what forms 

 he wishes, but not what he will obtain. 



So every year the florist has disclosed some new and progressive 

 charm ; and while he has caused an increased interest in roses 

 generally, and a better demand for them, yet they are rarely seen 

 in the perfection of their loveliness, from a want of judicious 

 selection and ti'eatment. The roses of all lands are with us, but 

 changed in their constilution, — some weakened, others strengthened 

 by a change of diet, climate, and care. The rosery should be both 

 exposed and sheltered, a place of sunshine and of shade ; the 

 centre clear and open, and the protecting screen around. The 

 requisite conditions of a spot selected for rose culture cannot 

 always be judged by the mere texture, depth, or character of the 

 soil, even in conjunction with climate and situation ; for it is more 

 a matter of actual experience than calculation. The rose trees 

 should be so arranged that the sun will shine upon them from its 

 rise to meridian, and then leave them in shadow and repose. The 

 hardy may preferably be planted in the autumn, the tender in the 

 spring. Set plants of one or two years' growth, and prune before 

 planting, for the shortening of the shoots and roots reduces the 

 number of buds which draw upon the' sap, and a more vigorous 

 growth follows. Choose a day when the earth is easily worked 

 and friable, for planting. Place the roots three to six inches 

 under the surface, and set deeper in light and dry than in strong 

 and moist soils. Transplanting should occur once in five or six 

 years, but budded and grafted varieties more frequently become 

 impaired ; the wood, annuall}' weaker, does not attain that maturity 

 and size necessar}' to the production of fine flowers. If we 

 carefuUv remove a tree in this condition we shall find large, sucker- 

 like roots, almost destitute of fibres, wliich have been burying 

 tliemselves in the earth each succeeding 3'ear. Removed farther 

 from the reach of nourishment, the bush dwindles and becomes 

 debilitated, which is remedied by replanting in the autumn, 

 cutting off" the suckers and pruning the roots. 



