THE ROSE GARDENS OF HERTFORDSHIRE. 55 



plants, with which they group admirably, and produce a 

 very splendid effect. Mr Barnes recommends the adoption 

 of this plan very strongly as a great saving of time to the 

 gardener at a season when time is invaluable, and as a 

 saving of expense to the proprietor. As there can be no 

 longer any doubt of their suitableness for this purpose, we 

 predict that they will ere long become generally planted. 

 Indeed, when we remember how constantly they flower, 

 and that their season is prolonged beyond that of ordinary 

 bedding plants, it is a matter of surprise that they have 

 not been more freely used. Want of variety, beauty, or 

 fragrance, cannot be offered as an excuse for this neglect. 

 In the Rose is to be found the softest and the hardest tints, 

 the purest white, the deepest crimson, and the intermediate 

 shades are innumerable. As to beauty and fragrance they 

 are too evident to need comment. 



These remarks are made in reference to the present mode 

 of growing them,' but we think much may be done to 

 improve the cultivation of Roses in flower-beds. The plan 

 of pegging down the branches we hold to be more than 

 questionable ; when adopted the flowers are brought so 

 close to the ground that the first shower of rain that falls 

 covers them with soil, after which the delicate tints will 

 not bear looking on. This plan further causes a few vigor- 

 ous shoots to arise from the base of the branches pegged 

 down, and an uneven growth and a scanty supply of 

 flowers are the results. The easiest remedy for this is to 

 grow the plants on short stems, but as such are by some 

 held objectionable, when on their own roots, a few wires of 

 sufficient strength to support the branches should be 

 stretched over the beds at a given height, according to the 

 habit of the variety or the position it may occupy. In 

 pruning cut off the branches just below these wires, and 

 the young shoots will rise and flower above. A little tying 

 may be necessary in some instances to keep the beds neat 

 and compact. Prune sparingly, manure freely, and the 

 desired end a mass of flowers will be obtained. 



