CULTURE OF THE ROSE. 159 



them sufficient watering, and in their whole management, to 

 assimilate as nearly as possible to open culture. When the green- 

 fly appears, it is immediately destroyed by fumigation with to- 

 bacco and sulphur, and the plants are subsequently syringed with 

 clean water. With this management they soon begin to show 

 signs of life, the bud commences pushing forth its delicate, light 

 green shoot, the leaves then appear, the plant soon growing with 

 luxuriance, is clothed with rich foliage, and about the middle of 

 .the third month, the house presents a mass of thrifty growth and 

 perfect bloom. 



By the means above described, roses may be forced into bloom 

 the latter part of winter, and by observing some care to bring 

 them into the house at different periods in regular succession, a 

 bloom can be enjoyed through all the spring months until roses 

 bloom in the open ground. This process cannot, however, be 

 continued two years in succession without weakening the plant, 

 and although, if placed in a shady spot and allowed to rest during 

 the summer, it may sufficiently recover to perform the same 

 work another year, it is desirable, if possible, to have fresh plants 

 whose strength has not been exhausted by the excitement and 

 unusual effort attending the production of flowers out of season. 



The preceding directions apply more particularly to late 

 forcing, and although the same means, with an earlier application 

 of heat, will produce flowers early in winter, yet the true art of 

 early forcing consists in gradually bringing the Rose out of its 

 season ; and it is only by this mode that thrifty plants and perfect 

 flowers can be produced before Christmas. 



Two years, and sometimes three, should be employed inprepar- 

 ing a Rose for early forcing. Having been prepared by digging 

 around it with a sharp spade some two weeks previously, the 

 plant should be taken up immediately after the first frost, placed 

 in a cold frame a few days to harden, and then taken to the green- 

 house or vinery. A moderate heat should then be given it, with 

 plenty of light and air to prevent its being drawn. The flower- 

 buds should be plucked off as soon as they appear, and no bloom 



