34 THE HISTORY AND CULTIVATION OF THE ROSE. 



are favourable or not. It is well known that a free airy 

 situation and a fresh loamy soil are most advantageous for 

 the cultivation of this flower ; and in proportion as the soil 

 and situation depart from this, so are they the less favour- 

 able. And here allow me to intimate to those whose soil 

 and situation are not favourable that a hardy race of Roses, 

 the varieties of which flourish under such circumstances, is 

 infinitely preferable to the more beautiful but delicate ones 

 which, if they exist, will never flourish. I have no doubt 

 there are some persons present who have experienced dis- 

 appointment in the cultivation of the Tea-Scented and 

 other kinds in this neighbourhood, and although I shall 

 presently make mention of means by which I believe they 

 may be successfully grown, still under ordinary treatment 

 they do not thrive. Now in what degree are they superior 

 to the Hybrid Perpetual and Bourbon Roses, which do 

 thrive abundantly ? True the colours of the latter are not 

 so delicate, their scent is not so grateful, but in some points, 

 one of which we may name " beauty of habit," they are 

 by many thought superior. The influences of a confined 

 situation or impure air it is difficult to remedy, syring- 

 ing the plants occasionally would doubtless prove of in- 

 calculable benefit. The soil, however, is a different matter, 

 and defects here are more easily removed. If the soil be 

 decidedly bad, the better plan is to remove it altogether to 

 the depth of 18 inches, replacing it with three-fourths turfy 

 loam in a rough state well mixed with one-fourth decom- 

 posed stable manure. Good soil, however, is of .little use 

 unless the drainage be perfect, and in wet soils this must 

 be attended to. But let us not suppose there are many 

 soils so bad as to require wholly removing. Some there 

 are that are too light and porous, for these a good 

 dressing of marl or strong loam will be found beneficial. 

 Others are too strong and tenacious, here turf and sand will 

 be great improvers. It must, however, be borne in mind 

 that worked Roses thrive best in a strong-holding soil. 

 Transplanting is an operation of importance in the 



