Formation of the Rosarium. 59 



highest gratification from such a sight, would induce him not to neglect this point. 

 But he finds greater pleasure in looking at his favourites individually. What would be 

 tedious and uninteresting to them is to him highly gratifying. Each of his plants has 

 a name by which he distinguishes it. He regards them as so many friends or ac- 

 quaintances, every one of which has a claim upon his attention. He therefore wishes 

 them so disposed that he may attend to each in turn without injuring the rest. How 

 often have I seen, in large beds of Roses, the soil round a favourite tree trodden as hard 

 as a gravel walk ! I have also seen the adjoining trees, whose beauty was only 

 dimmed by the presence of a brighter gem, seriously rubbed and broken, being 

 altogether unheeded in the eager haste to inspect some more inviting specimen.* It 

 would seem desirable, then, in amateur rose-growing that the beds be so formed that 

 each plant may be seen from the walks. No one who really loves Roses will be 

 content with viewing a plant placed in the back of a bed some yards from a walk. 

 To fully appreciate its beauties to be satisfied one must have it directly under the 

 eye, or how can he mark the exact colour, form, and various characters, and last, but 

 not least, inhale its perfume? If the plant is so placed that we cannot do this from 

 the walks, the beds will be trampled on ; the temptation is too great ; we cannot 

 resist it. 



When forming a Rosarium it is at the option of the cultivator to set apart a spot 

 for growing plants from which to save seed. If he desire to raise seedlings this 

 should be done, for the plants become impoverished by the ripening of the seeds, and 

 therefore those from which he wishes to obtain large and perfect flowers should never 

 be suffered to seed. He should select the sunniest spot in the garden in which to 

 plant the seed-bearers, in order to secure every possible advantage for accelerating 

 the period of maturity. Autumn pruning should also be adopted, as a means to this 

 end, by inducing an early development of flowers. Our climate is not the most 

 favourable for this branch of Rose-culture ; we therefore must not waive even the 

 slightest advantage which may be obtained either naturally or incidentally. 



In preference to giving new plans only, we shall present our readers with some 

 which already exist, and which have obtained the approval of those who have 

 witnessed the effect they produce. For the reasons above stated, we believe the 

 simpler the form of the Rosarium the better. It is therefore thought not necessary to 

 give many plans, but, besides those given, we shall offer a description of certain 

 places noted for Roses, or where the plants appear arranged with taste. 



The most renowned Rosarium in Europe was formerly that of the Jardin du 



* I have a vivid recollection of committing this error. I once stepped on a seedling in the garden of a Rose- 

 grower in France, which was planted in a very injudicious position. A glimpse of La Reine for the first time was 

 the cause of my misfortune. I was made acquainted with the real state of things by a very un-Frenchmanlike roar. 

 Fortunately the plant was not seriously injured, but the flower-bud was destroyed, and the amount of mischief done 

 was the keeping of the owner in a state of suspense for a month or two longer. 



