New System of Rose-Culture. 333 



readily performed by dividing the plant into as many plants as are there 

 crowns. The long, coarse roots should be cut in, and the plants carefully 

 reset. It is best, however, to allow the more common varieties, and those 

 which are to remain in the garden, to form large clumps, as thus they show 

 better when in bloom. Seed is freely produced, and should be gathered 

 when the capsule dries and opens. 



The subjects of our illustration are two well-marked seedlings, and will 

 illustrate the character of the flower. Most of the varieties will do well 

 in common light garden-soil ; but the best compost is good turfy loam, well- 

 rotted cow-dung, and sharp sand enough to keep it open. 



There are many other primroses which are worthy of cultivation, espe- 

 cially P. cortusoidcs, a charming species, and the many varieties of auricula, 

 which, however, require frame or greenhouse treatment. 



To all who love spring-flowers, we say, Plant a bed of polyanthus. 



E. s. J?., yu7i. 



Glen Ridge, November, 1868. 



NEW SYSTEM OF ROSE-CULTURE. 



Will you allow me to again briefly refer to this subject? The remarks 

 attached to my recent note (page 220) imply that a novel mode of pruning 

 is necessary to produce the best results on the pegging-down system. For 

 the benefit of those of your readers who may not fully understand the sub- 

 stance of the remarks alluded to, I beg to say that no new or novel system 

 of pruning is necessary. Rose-pruning simply consists in a " systematic 

 renewal of the old wood ; " nothing more : so that all novelty in this new 

 system vanishes into " airy nothing." 



I have practised the mode exactly and precisely as described at page 149 

 for at least twenty-five years ; and I am very certain that it was not intro- 

 duced by me. After reading your remarks on "Agricultural Newspapers," 

 at page 228, I considered it a duty to your Journal to make a note of the 

 above. William Saunders. 



