CHAP. XL! I. 



/cos A ( EA:. no SA. 

 M6 



809 



seems to be, that the rose stocks are always of much more robust habit, with 

 reference to the scions grafted on them, than the stocks of any other grafted 

 tree or shrub whatever. 



Watering. All plants in a state of high culture require watering in the 

 summer season, otherwise they will not develope their parts to a sufficient 

 extent. The rose bush best produces its flowers in the three hottest months, 

 June, July, and August ; and neither in Britain, nor on the Continent, will 

 roses expand their blossoms fully, or have strength to resist the attacks of 

 insects, unless they are liberally supplied with water. Before they come into 

 flower, the leaves should be syringed every evening in dry weather, and the 

 root abundantly supplied either with common water, or liquid manure. Dwarf 

 roses require less water than standards ; because the nearness of the bush to 

 the ground, by covering the soil, prevents evaporation. Lime water (that is, 

 lime held in solution in water, and not such a mixture of lime and water as 

 will leave a coating of lime on the plants) may be used, both with the syringe 

 and at the root ; and, though it will not entirely destroy the aphides, those 

 great enemies of roses, yet it will check their increase, and it will totally 

 destroy caterpillars of every kind. To destroy the aphides, after syringing 

 with pure water or lime water, the plants should be sprinkled with the 

 powdered leaves of tobacco, or refuse snuff, as directed under the head of 

 Insects, and the syringing left off for a few days ; after which they should be 

 well washed with clean water. 



Growing in Pots and Forcing. The dwarf-growing roses, and, indeed, most 

 sorts as dwarfs, may be grown in pots ; care being taken to turn them out of 

 the pots once a year, and, after trimming their roots and shoots, to repot 

 them in fresh soil. So complete is the command of the cultivator over a 

 rose in a pot, that, with the aid of glass, a choice of sorts, and the power of 

 applying a very little heat in the winter months, he may have roses in abun- 

 dance all the year. Cabbage and moss roses, when they are to be forced, 

 should be taken up out of the free ground as soon as they have done flowering, 



