Pot Roses Training. 



139 



The same routine of culture will require to be gone through now as in the first 

 season, availing ourselves of whatever knowledge we may have gained by experience 

 and observation. -But a new source of amusement now opens upon us, and one 

 which will discover and exercise our taste. The first year little training is necessary ; 

 but it has now become an important part of the work. If skilfully and tastefully 

 done it greatly enhances the beauty of our favourites ; if otherwise, it has a contrary 

 tendency. Often we see well-grown plants, which reflect great credit on the culti- 

 vator, spoiled in the training. To manage this properly the shoots should be tied 

 out to sticks immediately that the plants are pruned ; and when the newly-formed 

 shoots are three or four inches long they should be tied out also, training according 

 to some pre-conceived plan. 



Fig. 36. POT ROSE NIAVLY FKUNED, THREE YEARS OLD. 



We agree that the fewer sticks used the better ; but we fear Roses cannot be 

 managed nicely without the help of some. Osiers are excellent for the purpose. We 

 do not like to see a plant with as many sticks as it has flowers, and almost a hedge- 

 stake used to support a branch which a privet-twig would hold in place. This is 

 bungling and unsightly, equalled only by the want of design often apparent in the 

 training. The sticks should be chosen as slight as will support the flowers, and the 

 shape of the plant should be determined before we commence to fashion it. Not that 

 we are obliged to follow such form if by any occurrence we discover one more suitable 

 in an after-stage of growth. If painted sticks are used in the tying out and training, 

 they should be painted green, as near the colour of the foliage as possible, duller, not 

 brighter, or they will create a glare, and detract from the beauty of the plant. To us 

 the system of a tall shoot in the centre of the plant, with all the others disposed 

 around it, gradually decreasing in height as they recede from the centre in a word, a 

 pyramid presents the most pleasing object. Fig. 36 is a newly-pruned plant grown 

 and trained on this system. 



