144 



The Rose Garden. 



evident that if only a few flowers are to be produced at the top then the dwarfer it is 

 grown the better. Here, as in all gardening operations, Nature requires time to perfect 

 her work. The plants will not be complete the first year ; they may not the second. 

 Much, of course, will depend on the treatment they undergo, their strength when put 

 to the frame-work, and the size of the latter. But little pruning is necessary ; each 

 year the weak and unripened wood only should be removed, tying the rest to the 

 frame-work till it is covered. With respect t o the shortening of the shoots, they should 

 be cut back to eyes that are well ripened and no farther. Cover the frame-work as 

 thoroughly and quickly as possible, and then prune as directed for Climbing Roses. 



Fig. 40. CLIMBING ROSK SOI.FATERRS IN BLOOM, FOUR YEARS OLD. 



Fig. 40 is a sketch of the beautiful yellow rose Solfaterre, taken from a plant in 

 bloom which had been treated as above described. 



We said at the opening of this Chapter that Roses may be had in flower all the 

 year round. Let us revert to that point. We must divide our plants into three lots 

 varying the colours in each as much as possible ; securing the fullest kinds for forcing 

 and the least double for Winter flowering. From June to October, inclusive, may be 

 considered the natural season of flowering. By forcing, of which we shall speak in 

 the next Chapter, we may obtain flowers from February to May. It is now our in- 

 tention to relate how we secure flowers from November to February. This is the most 



