130 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



JUNE. Any gaps in Rose beds may be filled up with plants from 

 pots. Those potted in October are best for the purpose. Make a hole for 

 them, turn the plant out intact, and carefully set it in, then fill up with 

 soil. Tread carefully around the ball of earth so that it be not broken. 

 If no check be given, such plants flower well by the end of the 

 season. To old-established Roses in the best condition, applications of 

 night-soil and sewage are beneficial, but must not be given to weakly 

 plants. Draw a drill down the centre of the row between two rows 

 of plants, pour the night-soil in, and return soil. Bains soon carry 

 down the food, and a marked difference is manifest in foliage and blos- 

 som. Disbudding must now be done in the case of Roses for exhibition. 

 The centre bud is usually retained, and the two side ones removed. Do 

 this as early as possible, even if you have to prick them out with a goose 

 quill, then all the strength goes into the bud retained. With Teas for 

 exhibition it is even necessary to remove the side shoots that break out 

 before the bud is as large as a marble. But for garden decoration the 

 glorious Teas should have all their buds retained. Some of the hybrids 

 that make bunches of buds are all the better thinned even if only for 

 cutting for decoration, otherwise no good flower will develop. Show 

 boxes must be prepared. Nothing helps more to win prizes than a good 

 style of arranging the blossoms. Foster's tubes prevent dumpiness. 

 Give liquid manure twice a week to such Roses as have not received an 

 artificial dressing. In watering remember a good soaking is better than 

 three or four driblets. Worn-out pot Roses, or plants that have become 

 leggy, if planted out into good loam, will enjoy a fresh lease of life. 



The glorious array of single and semi-double Roses, briars, and a 

 host of lovely kinds will now be in full bloom. Try and see a good 

 collection growing. More will be gained than by an inspection at a 

 flower-show. 



JULY. As the perpetual Roses go out of bloom, cut back their 

 growths to a good eye looking outward, but not too low. If this is 

 done carefully the perpetual character is more developed. Old growths 

 on Wall Roses, such as Teas, Banksias, &c., when they have blossomed 

 should be removed, retaining last season's growths, and those of the 

 current season. Tea Roses in pots that have now flowered for the second 

 time must be removed to a sunny spot outdoors. Do not neglect them, 

 but give liquid manure now and then, and they must not suffer for want 

 of water. They must remain here until the time comes to repot 

 (September). Repot now Roses required for early forcing next winter. 

 Pot off cuttings rooted under glass. Put in cuttings under bell 

 glasses in a shady spot outdoors. If able to attend to them the cuttings 

 do remarkably well if dibbled into small pots, one cutting in a pot. 

 Use very sandy soil. The frames of such cuttings may be placed in full 

 sunlight, but paint the glass with whitewash containing size. Sprinkle 

 the foliage every hour when the sun is bright. Cuttings will root in 

 this manner most readily. Then remove them to a pit, and repot 

 when required. 



Cuttings rooted in greenhouse should be potted off when the roots 

 are about an inch long. Keep in a close frame in house for a week, 



