io Roses for Amateurs. 



Position. 



The first necessity for a Rose-garden is that it be in an 

 open position that is, not surrounded by trees, or shut in in 

 any way. There are two reasons for this : Where trees sur- 

 round it, their roots make their way into the Rose-garden, 

 and impoverish the soil ; another is that, where a garden is 

 thus enclosed, mildew is apt to be very destructive. Let the 

 portion of the garden, then, that is devoted to the Rose be 

 an open one. 



There must be a free circulation of air, and plenty of 

 sunshine ; but, at the same time, let it not be assumed that 

 by this is meant an unsheltered position, where the winds can 

 have their way in twisting and turning about the stems, and 

 whisking off the flowers. No; the Rose-garden must be 

 sheltered, though not shaded. Nothing is better than a 

 hedge, provided it be at some little distance from the Roses. 

 This hedge may be of any close-growing plant or shrub which 

 can be kept in bounds. It ought not to be allowed to get 

 much above the level of the Roses themselves. A Sweetbriar 

 hedge, about 2ft. through, and about 2^ft. high, would 

 answer excellently ; while there are also many Roses that 

 might well be utilised to form hedges, and that would be 

 entirely in keeping with the general plan. Perhaps, when 

 the wind has more play, it may be necessary to have a 

 higher hedge. Where it is not possible to have this, a 

 wooden fence forms a very good shelter ; but it is better 

 that the slabs composing it should not be nailed close 

 together, so as to sift the wind, which is all that is wanted. 

 A .fence thus made does not offer such resistance to the 

 wind, and so has a better chance of keeping its position. It 

 seems scarcely necessary to say that a garden in which there 

 are walls that Time has mellowed is an ideal one in which 

 to grow Roses, providing the other conditions are suitable. 

 In fact, it would not be too much to say that a perfect 

 Paradise of Roses might with a little outlay be produced. 



