168 The Rose Garden. 



of the latter to one of each of the former, serves for this purpose. This will destroy 

 insects which may have sought shelter in the crevices of the bark, and also the moss 

 and lichens which often grow there. It will further soften the bark, and favour the 

 swelling of the stem. 



It is not an unfrequent occurrence that the pith of a shoot decays from an old 

 wound in pruning, leaving the living wood hollow like a flute. It is well to place on 

 the end of such shoots a little of the composition used in grafting (see " Grafting "), 

 which will exclude the wet, shut up one hiding place of insects, and preserve the 

 branch from decay. 



As winter approaches it is necessary to devise some means of protection against 

 frost for those kinds which are susceptible of its influences ; such are the Tea-scented 

 and some of the Chinese and Noisette. Branches of the common fern, which grows 

 plentifully on most wilds, answer for the purpose, as do laurel or fir-boughs, the 

 latter, having a more lively appearance, are preferable. They should be stuck loosely 

 among the plants, if Dwarfs, that the circulation of air may not be too greatly impeded ; 

 if Standards, a branch or two may be placed in and round the heads, securing them in 

 the most favourable position by a tie with bast. Nearly all the Tea-Roses form beauti- 

 ful objects as Standards ; the only objection to the culture of many as such is their 

 tenderness. It is true that slight shelter suffices to save them. I have seen Standard 

 Tea-scented Roses laid under a leafless tree pass safely through a winter which killed 

 similar plants and kinds when fully exposed. I have often thought that bee-hives 

 might be used here with advantage in small collections. Drive three stakes into the 

 ground triangularly, on these nail a board with a hole cut in one side extending to the 

 centre, that the stem of the tree may be drawn in so that the head rests immediately 

 upon the board ; fasten it there, and then place a hive over the head. This will 

 undoubtedly form sufficient protection for the tenderest ; it is not very troublesome or 

 expensive, and if the hives are painted they are not unsightly, and their durability is 

 increased. The framework may remain during winter ; the hives are required in frosty 

 weather only. In March and April the tender roses may be pruned, and in May the 

 protection may be withdrawn. Intense cold doubtless kills many tender kinds when 

 left wholly unprotected ; and the alternations of frost and thaw are often severely 

 destructive to young plants on their own roots, raising them out of the ground, and 

 exposing their roots to the drying winds of Spring. In the Winter of 1846-47 I 

 witnessed many die from the latter cause, which had been uninjured by the severe 

 frost. To prevent these consequences a little fresh soil should be thrown over the 

 roots immediately after a thaw, and, when the ground is tolerably dry, tread it down 

 firmly. 



