158 CULTURE OF THE ROSE. 



size of the pots should, however, be regulated by the extent of 

 the roots ; it should be just sufficiently large to allow the roots 

 to go in without crowding. A few broken pieces of pot or small 

 lumps should be put in the bottom for drainage. When the 

 plant is to be taken from the open ground, select one whose roots 

 are not too large, and with a sharp spade cut around it a ball of 

 earth about the size of the pot, depriving it at the same time of a 

 portion of its top, as directed in remarks on pruning. It should 

 stand in this state about a fortnight, until the roots have become 

 callused, and the plant has become somewhat accustomed to the 

 loss of its roots and branches. It can then be safely taken up at 

 any season and transferred to the pot, which should then be 

 filled in with earth, firm and solid. If potted in the autumn, after 

 the leaves have fallen and the wood become mature, the above 

 previous preparation is not required, but the plant can be taken 

 up without a ball of earth, and after being pruned of its bruised 

 or broken roots, placed in the pot. It should then be protected 

 from the frost and light until it has entirely recovered from its 

 change of habitation, when it can be placed in any cool spot free 

 from frost, until it is wanted for forcing. 



Roses may, without difficulty, by the above previous man- 

 agement, be forced to bloom in the latter part of winter, but 

 where their bloom is desired at Christmas or New- Year, they 

 should be gradually prepared for the space of a year previous. 

 To produce roses the latter part of winter, our own management 

 has been simple and effective, giving us as many flowers as a 

 green-house and vinery full of pots could afford. After putting 

 the plants in pots as directed above, pruning them down to eight 

 or ten buds, and hardening them in a shady place, they are placed 

 in the vinery before the frost out of doors can have injured them, 

 and cut down to two buds. The house is then kept as cool as 

 possible, while the frost is carefully excluded by a light fire at 

 night, and on fine days the sashes are opened and plenty of air 

 admitted. They are thus kept in a dormant state until the first 

 of the year, when the heat is gradually increased to about 70 by 

 day and sinking as low as 35 at night. Care is taken to give 



