m TiJE HOnSEHOLD. 



nislied with a cock for ■withdrawing any supcrfliaous water that may at any 

 time accximulato within tlie box. One of the panes is made to take out — this 

 provision is necessary for the occasional arrangement and airing of the 

 plants, but the general ari-angement is made by lifting the top off entirely. 



Rose Cultm-e. — Situation. — A place apart from other flowers should be 

 assigned to them, if possible, sheltered from high winds, but open and not 

 suri'ounded by trees, as closeness is very apt to generate mildew; where 

 they cannot have a place to themselves, any part of the garden best fulfilling 

 these conditions will answer. 



Soil— A. most important item in their successful culture. That in which 

 they especially delight is a rich, unctious loam, that feels greasy when 

 pressed between the fingers. Where this is not to be had the soil must be 

 improved; if light, by the addition of loam, or even clay, well worked in; 

 where heavy, good drainage and the addition of coal ashes in small quanti- 

 ties will help it, but in such places draining is more important. 



Plarding. — Mix some loam and well-rotted manure together, open a good 

 sized hole, and fill it with fresh soil; plant firmly. Shorten any very long 

 shoots, and, if exposed to winds, secure the plant by short stakes. 



Manuring. — Roses are strong feeders, and will take almost any amount of 

 manure; pig manure is the best, except in hot soils, when cow manure is 

 preferable; stable manure is generally available and good. Exhibitors gen- 

 erally apply a top-flressiug in spring, but it does not improve the appearance 

 of the beds; a good top-dressing may be laid on the beds in autumn, and be 

 dug in in the spring. 



Watering. — When coming into bloom, if the weather be dry, give a good 

 drenching twice or three times a week; continue after blooming to prevent 

 mildew. If greater size be required, liquid manure may be used. Syringe 

 daily for green fly. 



Fruning. — This may be done any time after the beginning of March, ac- 

 cording to the season. Cut out all wood over two years old and all weakly 

 shoots. Weak-growing kinds should be pruned hard — that is, down to Ihreo 

 or four eyes; stronger growing kinds may be left longer. Cut to an eye that 

 points outward, so as to keep the inside of the plant open. Teas and 

 noisettes require less cutting back; the tops should be shortened and the 

 weak shoots cut out, and they should not be pruned until May. Use a sha^-p 

 knife. 



Rnstic Hanging Basket. — The accompanying drawing represents, '.'• 

 rustic hanging basket that any person can make with the common lions''^ 

 tools, axe, saw, knife, hammer and a few brads. First, procure from the 

 woods two or three sticks of iron wood, or such as may suit the fancy. They 

 should be selected, small trees, about three inches in • diameter. After 

 selecting the tree, cut it up into pieces fourteen or flftct^n inches in length; 

 then, taking one of these round sticks, split off the four sides; this, if it splits 

 well, will give eight pieces from two sticks, the number reqxiired to make 

 the basket. The sticks, or pieces, should be narrower and thinner at one 

 end than the other, as shown in the cut, and rounded at each end. TheK 

 procure a block or piece of inch board, and cut out a circular piece about 

 three inch<'S in diameter, slanting it a little so that the pieces will have tlio 

 taper towards the bottom when tacked to the block. This gives the basket 

 s little flare. They should fit close together at the point where the block is, 

 And may be a little open, nearer the top, in order to fill between with mo88. 



