5 o MARKET NURSERY WORK 



desert, where roses do NOT grow. Stand them, not too thickly, 

 on a staging on which there is at least an inch of ashes or sand, 

 and let their whole environment be one of moisture. Do not 

 overlook the fact that the maggots are death on indoor roses, and 

 must be looked sharply after and exterminated. Watch for the 

 curling leaf and find your monster inside. A good daily playing of 

 the syringe is the best way of keeping down the green fly, but if 

 curative methods have to be resorted to use a weak solution of 

 soft soap and paraffin. 



As the plants advance they must be carefully attended in the 

 matter of watering, for there is nothing a rose in a pot more keenly 

 resents than to be allowed to run dry. Take the trouble to inspect 

 every pot, rap it sharply with the knuckle, and if it rings then water 

 it ; if not, leave it till the morrow. Admit but little air, and that 

 only when the weather is open, though when the sunny days of 

 February come along the supplies of air must be increased with 

 discretion. 



When the flower buds have formed, a weekly watering with 

 weak liquid manure will help them very materially and will 

 produce flowers of some substance on long, stout stalks, and 

 remember that a great deal of importance is given to the length 

 of the stalk. 



Every fortnight a further batch of plants must be brought forward 

 and given identical treatment, or the regular supplies of cut bloom 

 may be interfered with and spoil trade. Spasmodic supplies must 

 be avoided regularity must be maintained, or your market suffers. 

 We have referred to the importance of growing roses with long, 

 stout stalks, and this involves a selection of varieties, for there are 

 many roses which cannot furnish these. As well as by using your 

 own judgment and imposing your own selection on the market, 

 it is a good plan to keep an eye on what is most in demand and is 

 high in the esteem of buyers. It would be quite contrary to our 

 character to advise any slavish following of other people's fancies, 

 for it is always open to the enterprising grower by his own prescience 

 and sound judgment both to forestall and influence the market 

 and thus dip his cup in the cream. It is very rare indeed for a 

 good thing presented in good form to fall flat, and the men who 

 can offer this are the men who lead. Every novelty, every new 



