CHAPTER VIII 



ROSES IN POTS 



FOR so long as we can remember pot roses have been, are now, 

 and always will be, a popular selling line for the nurseryman. 

 In all its varied forms and varieties, whether standards, half- 

 standards, dwarfs, miniatures, or ramblers, H.P.'s, H. Teas, Teas, 

 or Chinas, there is a permanent demand ; firstly, because they ARE 

 roses (and nothing is likely to threaten the supremacy of the rose 

 in these islands) ; secondly, because they are wondrously effective ; 

 thirdly, except the rambler section, because of their continuous 

 blooming qualities ; and lastly, because they are so economical, 

 for when they have finished up their season they may be plunged 

 in the ground and taken up for another season's use, or if past that 

 they may be planted out and live for years. To the nurseryman 

 himself, part of whose business it is to produce cut flowers, roses 

 in pots are exceedingly good stock something in the nature of a 

 stand-by, for given proper facilities and the intelligent handling 

 he can give them, he is able to cut roses for ten out of the twelve 

 months, and sometimes every month in the year. Even the ordinary 

 amateur, if he possesses the necessary glass and heat, may have a 

 display of beautiful roses in April almost or quite rivalling that of 

 June in the open, and this ought not to be thought less wonderful 

 because of the ease with which it can be realised. 



In order to produce out-of-season roses in quantity and quality, 

 there must be a suitable rose house such as every rose specialist 

 has, and perhaps we cannot better convey the idea of a convenient 

 form of house than by describing one we built for ourselves. This 

 house is 150 feet long by 24 feet wide, rising 9 feet to the ridge board. 

 The sash bars resting on a wall plate 3 feet from the ground are 

 14 feet long ; the 3-feet side walls being of bricks. Top ventilation 

 is provided for by independent vents, for we have always objected 

 to an installation of " gear." These vents are alternately placed 

 on either side of the house, are 3 feet wide, so that there are 25 on 

 each side. We never open more at any time than is actually neces- 

 sary, though throughout the summer they are all open day and night. 



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