212 The Rose Garden. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



Calendar of Operations. 



IT is not intended here to enter at any length into the modus .operandi of 

 cultivation, but simply to set down under the various months the work that 

 should be done. This, it is conceived, will often save the reader both time and 

 trouble in searching for information in the body of the work. 



October. The Rose Grower's year may be said to begin with the middle of this 

 month. Plants that may have become weakly or unhealthy should be marked for 

 removal, and the mind made up as to what shall take their place. In removing 

 them large holes should be dug and left open for a week, the soil being laid round 

 the edges to dry and air. Re-planting may be done to advantage the end of the 

 month, or onwards till the end of March. Where fresh plantations are intended the 

 ground should be trenched two feet deep, and plenty of rich manure be mixed 

 with the soil. Roses from the ground wanted for pot culture should be potted 

 the end of this month. All Roses in pots should be put under glass or shelter. 

 Cuttings from out-of-doors may be planted either in the borders or frames. Clear 

 wild shoots of budded stocks, excepting those containing the dormant buds. Plant 

 Rose stocks if any inclination for budding the following year. 



November. Secure all Standard and Climbing Roses for the Winter by staking 

 and tying. Protect tender Roses if meant to remain out-of-doors during Winter ; 

 Evergreen-boughs, Beech-boughs, Asparagus-haulm, and Fern, are useful for this 

 purpose. Prune hardy Roses so far as thinning out supernumerary shoots is desirable, 

 but do not shorten the shoots left till March. Prune Pot Roses (thinning out and 

 shortening) for February flowering. Re-planting may be carried on to advantage 

 during this month if the soil be fairly dry. Cover the ground with stable manure 

 whether the plants are in rows or beds. 



December. Supposing the instructions for October and November to have been 

 carried out, there is little to do this month out-of-doors. In-doors, however, matters 

 are different. The late blooming plants under glass must be kept flowering by heat 

 and moderate moisture ; and Pot Roses for February flowering should now be 

 brought into a warm house. The plants required to succeed these should be pruned. 



