February Dawning Spring 



development of fresh ones. The finest blossoms are borne 

 on steins that formed the previous summer, though flowers 

 are also produced by the side growths on the older stems. 

 It is the latter that need attention now. They may vary 

 from 10 to 20 inches long, and are shortened little or much 

 according to their vigour. Such as are almost of the 

 thickness of a lead pencil may be left 6 or 8 inches long, 

 but all thin growths are best cut back, to within about 

 two buds of the base ; the fresh shoots that will form as 

 spring advances may be expected to yield flowers, though 

 they will not be so fine as those on the strong, fresh stems 

 that grew last year. Rose Marechal Niel is, or perhaps it 

 would be nearer the truth to say that it <vas, a favourite 

 Rose for the greenhouse. It is still easily king of Roses, 

 though few seem to grow it really well. It thrives best as 

 a half standard. Rather drastic treatment in the way of 

 pruning appears to give the best results, for its wonderful 

 golden blossoms are only obtained in perfection and in 

 quantity from vigorous growths of the previous summer. 

 To ensure these, severe pruning is practised when the 

 flowers have faded ; all the shoots are cut back to within 

 a few inches of their base. Then, in a warm and moist 

 temperature, the tree makes extraordinarily rapid growth, 

 and before the end of the season will have produced strong 

 shoots many feet in length, shoots that are certain to 

 flower abundantly the following summer. It is very 

 pleasant to have a few Roses in pots in bloom in late 

 spring, a few weeks "before the earliest are expected out 

 of doors. They should now be pruned and placed in a 

 temperature of 45 ; later on, as growth advances, 

 they may be given more warmth. Pruning should be 

 fairly hard, last year's growths being cut to within two 

 or three buds of the base. 



Annuals for the Greenhouse. Unless one makes 

 timely preparation the greenhouse is likely to be some- 

 what bare of blossom during the summer months ; by 

 sowing seeds now of several charming half hardy annuals 



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