214 The Rose Garden. 



flower-buds are newly formed, if large flowers are wanted, pinch out the backward 

 flower-buds. Remove the points of any individual shoots that may show signs of 

 developing with excessive vigour. Newly transplanted Roses should be watered 

 during this and the following month should the weather be dry. Roses in pots 

 under glass will henceforth require an increased supply of water, and must be kept 

 free from aphis and grub by smoking or hand-picking. Thrip under good 

 cultivation ought not to appear, but should it do so it may be destroyed by 

 syringing with a solution of quassia and soft soap. Propagation from forced 

 cuttings may be continued during this month. 



May. An important part of this month's work is the cultivation of the ground. 

 It should be hoed frequently, especially after watering or rain, to keep the surface of 

 the ground loose. Insects must be sought for diligently, and wild and irregular 

 shoots brought into subjection or destroyed. The grower for exhibition must reduce 

 the number of flowers on each plant very considerably with the view of obtaining 

 large flowers. Water should be given freely if the weather is dry, and weak liquid 

 manure or soot-water is a useful stimulant in this stage of the plant's growth. In 

 light dry soils a thin layer of stable manure should be laid on the surface about the 

 middle of the month. Roses in-doors that have flowered may be removed, bringing 

 them to the out-of-door temperature gradually that they may not be injured by the 

 change. If mildew appear dust the leaves with sulphur, cleansing them with the 

 syringe a day or two afterwards, using soft soap and quassia water. Cuttings taken 

 trom under glass in March and April may now be transferred to single pots, keeping 

 them under glass for another month. 



June. If the weather or soil be dry, water freely, hoeing the ground the following 

 day. Look to staking and tying up. Keep a close watch over insects of all kinds. 

 Clean and prepare Rose-stocks for budding. White Roses may be slightly shaded 

 if growing for exhibition. Some of the earliest flowers should be crossed, that well- 

 ripened seed may be obtained. Continue reducing the number of the flower-buds if 

 large handsome flowers are wanted. The end of the month the Summer Roses and 

 many of the Autumnals will be in flower. Over the past leisure, boxes should have 

 been painted, sticks made, and green moss gathered and placed in a moist shady 

 place, to be ready for the exhibitions. All Pot Roses may now be placed out-of- 

 doors. 



July. In this month and onwards, the majority of growers look to be repaid for 

 their labour and care by a grand outburst of flowers. Continue watering if dry 

 weather. When propagating by layers, this is a good time to lay the branches in 

 the earth. Reduce the number of shoots on Standard stocks planted for budding, 

 leaving two or three only, and these opposite to each other, or otherwise well 

 placed. Commence budding. If seed is not wanted, cut off the flowers so soon 

 as they become shabby, top dressing the soil afterwards with rich but not fresh 



