ROSES 91 



Roses are grown without artificial heat by day, provision should be 

 made to afford a mild amount during the night. A little heat about 

 ten o'clock at night to such houses will suffice. This will prevent the 

 temperature declining below 45. It also wards off injury through a 

 stagnant atmosphere. No doubt Tea Roses are best grown quickly, so 

 that if no heat or very little be available it is wise to cultivate the hybrid 

 perpetuals and the freest of the hybrid Teas, for they can endure a lower 

 temperature than Teas. By the end of the month the soil around the 

 Teas outdoors may be removed, and also the litter from heads of standards 

 and bushes. Keep lights on the Roses in cold pits every night, but 

 remove by day unless very cold winds prevail. 



APRIL. Tea and hybrid Teas, Chinas, and Polyanthas, if planted 

 late, will give a succession of blossom when the established plants are 

 over. Procure dormant plants, viz. those that have been heeled in 

 under north hedges or walls. Dip their roots in mud-soup before plant- 

 ing, and prune back hard all the growths. Tea Roses and allied tribes 

 may now be pruned. Remove earth from budded stocks, and place a 

 stick against each, in order to tie the bud securely as it grows. Budded 

 standard briars should have a thin stick tied on the upper part of stem 

 for a similar purpose. Keep the hoe frequently used now among all 

 Roses. Scatter soot on land and hoe it in. This is beneficial to Roses, 

 and wards off insects and fungoid troubles. Water newly-planted Roses. 

 Climbers under glass as they go over may be pruned. Marechal Niel if 

 cut back to about 3 or 4 feet from the base of the growths will be induced 

 to make new shoots which will give the best flowers next year. 



This is an excellent time to plant out own-root or cutting Roses 

 from pots. 



MAY. Insects will now prove troublesome. Go carefully over the 

 plants and give a pinch where the enemy appears to be hiding. Dis- 

 bud growths on the plants. Rub off the supernumerary shoots in the 

 centre of the plants. Two or three of the best on each growth will 

 suffice. Liquid manure may be given now about once a week if weather 

 be dry, but first apply plain water. If the season be wet, a sprinkling 

 of artificial manure will be more beneficial. Sometimes bad frosts occur 

 this month. Wall Roses pay for a mat hung over them each night till 

 danger is past, which is in about the last week. Wall Roses also need 

 a good soaking of water once a week. Like wall-fruits they often are 

 neglected in this respect, and really need it most. Hoeing is an im- 

 portant operation. A sprinkling of bone-meal is helpful ; keep it well 

 hoed in. Suckers must be cut away as they appear. Standard briars 

 for budding must have their shoots thinned. Retain three or four at 

 the top or lower down if stronger. 



This is a good time to put in cuttings in a greenhouse. Select shoots 

 that have flowered. Cut them in lengths of 4 inches to 6 inches or 

 more, remove lower leaves and dibble into very sandy soil, or all sand 

 may be used. Place a large cloche or bell-glass over them, and keep 

 the cuttings lightly sprinkled each morning. Shade from midday sun. 

 Wipe the glass every morning. In about five weeks the cuttings may be 



