198 SEEDLING ROSES. 



Rose-loving world would likely result in the most profit 

 to the operator. -, ,- 



It is well to remove the stamens from the flowers 

 of the seed-bearing plants about to be crossed before 

 they shed their pollen, and we should hardly call it super- 

 fluous work to enclose such flowers in a small canvas bag 

 after fertilisation. 



When the seed pods of Roses begin to swell, and up 

 to the time of ripening, the soil, whether in beds or pots, 

 should be kept regularly and fairly moist; too wet or too 

 dry a soil is equally prejudicial to the perfect development 

 of the seed. The seed pods should likewise be left on the 

 plants till thoroughly ripe. When gathered they may be 

 sown at once or stored in sand and sown in February. It. 

 was formerly my practice to sow out of doors, but I have 

 recently sown in beds under glass on account of the depre- 

 dations of mice and birds (greenfinches especially). Most 

 of the seeds, but not all, germinate the first year. Close 

 watch must be kept for mildew from the time the seed- 

 lings rise, and careful watering must be attended to. 

 Some will flower in a month or two, but these are not 

 often of any value as they are of weakly constitution. 

 The majority will flower when one, two, or three years 

 old, but some not till even a later period. 



It is reasonable to assume that the flowering will be 

 closely watched, and any varieties that please should be 

 marked and budded on the brier stock as soon as sound 

 healthy buds can be obtained. When flowering on this 

 stock a year after being budded one will be able to judge 

 pretty accurately of the value of his acquisitions, and 

 can continue to propagate them if he think them worthy 

 of it. 



