134 The Rose Garden. 



These are the principal advantages gained by growing Roses in pots. But we 

 would not press our favourite immodestly on the attention of our readers. Suffice it 

 to record our opinion ; if the Rose is a suitable plant for Pot-culture it will 

 undoubtedly continue to gain friends ; if not, no advocacy of ours can essentially 

 serve it. 



To obtain Pot-Roses in perfection a Rose-house is necessary, even if we do not 

 care to have them in flower earlier than April, May, or June. In the next chapter 

 we shall give a plan of a Forcing-house for obtaining Roses in February and March, 

 and a similar house will answer very well for a later flowering. 



In entering on this branch of culture the first point that should engage our 

 attention is to provide a good heap of soil for the plants to grow in. The groups and 

 varieties differing greatly in their nature and habits, it will appear reasonable that 

 more than one sort of soil will be required if all kinds are to receive that most 

 suitable. All like a rich soil, which should be made light for the delicate-rooted 

 varieties, and more tenacious for the robust hardy kinds. 



" To form a light soil procure two barrows of seasoned turfy loam, half a barrow of 

 well-decomposed stable manure, a quarter of a barrow of leaf mould, and silver-sand 

 in proportion to the texture of the loam, which will in no case require more than one- 

 fourth of its own bulk. 



The heavy soil may be composed of one barrow of stiff turfy loam, one barrow of 

 night-soil that has been mixed with loam and laid by for a year, half a barrow of 

 leaf-mould or well pulverized manure, and sand as before recommended. 



Night-soil may be thought too powerful a manure, but it may be used with safety 

 provided it has been mixed with loam and well seasoned previously by frequent 

 turnings. The addition of about one-sixth of a barrow of charred earth will be found 

 to improve both composts. These materials should be thrown together at least three 

 months before required for use, and turned frequently that the integrant parts may 

 become well incorporated and mellowed by exposure to the sun and air. The sieve is 

 in neither case necessary, for as large pots will be principally used, the coarser, in 

 moderation, the soil is the better will the plants thrive. 



It is our intention at the end of this Division to give a list of the kinds thought 

 most suitable for Pot-culture, but as many may prefer searching our descriptive lists 

 for themselves, let us here consider what features are most worthy of notice when 

 selecting for this purpose. In my Pamphlet on the Cultivation of Roses in Pots,* 

 published some years since, the following points were given, and I do not know that I 

 can offer any further suggestions : 



1. Elegance of habit, regarding both growth and manner of flowering. 



2. Contrast of colour. 



* "Observations on the Cultivation of Roses in Pots, &c.," by W. Paul, F.L.S.; Eighth Edition; Kent 

 & Co., London. 



