84 The Rose Garden, 



out of the ground for two days and two nights in December. They were budded or 

 the Dog Rose. The days were sunny, the nights were frosty, the mercury falling 

 to about 28 Fahrenheit. Numerous other plants, whose roots were kept covered, anc 

 which were planted at the same time, grew and flourished without one exception 

 And these two did not die ; but for three years they maintained a miserable existence 

 neither growing as the others grew nor producing any creditable flowers ; and ye 

 they were originally as robust and vigorous by nature as any, if indeed not more so. 



If there are two employed in planting, the one may dig the holes at prope 

 distances, mixing the soil taken out with some well-pulverised manure, and laying 

 it on the sides of the holes ready for use in planting. If the soil be light, he may 

 notwithstanding the dressing it may have previously received, add a few spadesfu 

 of loam for any very choice kind ; if the soil be heavy, he may add a few spadesfu 

 of leaf-mould. This latter substance is an excellent addition to heavy soils, am 

 almost indispensable when the Tea-scented Roses are planted there ; it tempts then 

 to root vigorously, and strong well-flowered plants are the result. 



If Standards only are planted, two and a-half to three feet apart is a good dis 

 tance ; and if there is no objection on the part of the cultivator to planting Dwarf 

 among the Standards, let it be so. If, however, this is considered objectionable, an< 

 it is still thought desirable to cover the ground below during summer, this may b 

 accomplished by sowing Annuals, such as Mignonette, Viscaria oculata, Dianthu 

 Heddewegii, and any others of slender growth. These cannot injure the Roses ; ii 

 hot dry seasons we believe they prove beneficial by the partial shade they afford 

 but they should be sown very thinly, and those kinds chosen which are of th 

 most slender growth. When Dwarf Roses only are planted, from one and a-hal 

 to two and a-half feet, according to the vigour of the kinds, is the distance usuall; 

 chosen. 



A few words on arranging plants in single beds may not be misplaced here 

 We first take the centre of the bed, where we place the tallest plant, and whic! 

 should be a robust grower, an abundant bloomer, and an attractive Rose. L 

 reference to this plant, whatever may be the size or shape of the bed, the other 

 are disposed. They should incline gently from it in any or every direction, till th 

 plants at the edge be on very short stems or perfect dwarfs. An inclination of on 

 foot and a half from one row to another admits of a very pretty arrangemen' 

 Supposing the centre plant to be five feet, the next row may be three feet and a-hal 

 the next two feet, and so on. Let it be borne in mind that the strongest grower 

 should be planted nearest to the centre ; and in consequence of their more vigorou 

 growth, greater space should be allowed from plant to plant there than at the circum 

 ference of the bed, where the smaller growers are planted. When the holes ar 

 opened for planting, throw a little manure at the bottom, and mix it with the soi 

 there ; then place the plant in the hole, filling in with the manure and soil lai< 



