182 The Rose Garden. 



had now two 4-inch pipes running round it, and I had thousands of Roses in March 

 and April which before the house was heated did not expand till May and June. 

 One year Marechal Niel produced nearly a thousand flowers, equal in size and colour 

 to any that I have ever seen, and Solfaterre, Climbing Devoniensis, Cloth of Gold, 

 Celine Forestier, President, Madame Falcot, and many others, were marvels of grace 

 and beauty. I do not remember that anything in the whole range of my horticultural 

 experience ever afforded me more gratification and delight than this house of Tea- 

 scented Roses. 



It should be remarked that the plants and house were kept scrupulously clean 

 throughout the year. Falling blossoms, decaying leaves, weeds, and every other 

 source of impurity were cleared away at least once a week. The soil, too, was often 

 stirred, and whenever it became dry thoroughly watered with rain-water. 



Tea-scented Roses may also be grown to advantage in pots. The light soil 

 recommended in our Chapter on " Roses in Pots " is most favourable to their growth 

 in a young state, but as the plants are transferred to large pots a heavier soil is desir- 

 able. Care must be taken that they are neither over-potted nor over-watered. They 

 also require less pruning when in a young state than the Hybrid Perpetual and other 

 hard-wooded Roses. In pruning Tea-scented Roses it is less a question of " long " 

 or " close " pruning than of finding good bold eyes in suitable positions to secure at 

 once good flowers and handsome plants. 



Those who have a mild climate, dry soil, or sheltered situation, may grow the 

 Tea-scented Roses fairly well out of doors ; but under such treatment they should be 

 invariably protected from the winter's frost. Even in the south and west of England 

 this is advantageous. One of the hardiest of this race Gloire de Dijon is also one 

 of the freest and most beautiful, and there are different degrees of hardiness amongst 

 the various kinds. This should be noted and made the most of. Some recommend 

 taking up every Autumn, and placing the tender kinds in a sheltered spot to be 

 replanted in Spring. We regard this as a mere make-shift appliance, uncertain in its 

 results and not likely to prove entirely satisfactory to the skilled cultivator. If Tea- 

 Roses must be grown out of doors, bud them plentifully every year, and a goodly 

 number even of the tender kinds will, in this dormant state, pass securely through 

 nineteen out of twenty of our winters. It is here the lover of Tea-Roses should look 

 for the chief supply of these flowers out of doors. 



