184 The Rose Manual 



these roses are already in pots, or to be procured from the nurserymen in 

 the small* pot they are generally grown in for sale, they should at once 

 be placed into those of six inches in diameter, carefully and freely wa- 

 tered, during July and August, cutting off all the flower buds they show 

 in the latter month. About the middle of September, shorten the over- 

 grown shoots, and thin out the slender ones, turn the plants out of the 

 pots, depriving them of some of the soil, and repot in those of seven 

 inches diameter, using a compost of sand, turfy loam, and manure in 

 equal proportions; they will also grow admirably in the black soil, from 

 the woods, composed principally of decayed leaves ; put several pieces of 

 broken crockery in the bottom of the pot, then a portion of soil ; place 

 the plant so that its surface roots should be under the rim of the pot, and 

 then fill all round with the soil ; put them in a situation partially shaded, 

 — water sparingly, till they begin to grow — tlien expose them fully to the 

 sun and water freely every day. There they may remain till the middle 

 or end of October, and in the south till November, when they should be 

 removed to the greenhouse or rooms, for flowering. Previous to their 

 removal, the pots should be washed, and the plants neatly tied up. Thus 

 treated they will mature all the buds they will then show, and produce a 

 profusion of flowers again in January and February. Where there is 

 the convenience of cliarcoal, it will be found of prime utility in rose pot- 

 culture, broken to the size of nuts and about one fifth mixed with the 

 soil ; the roots will delight to ramble through it, and the foliage will be 

 of a richer and darker green; the surface of the soil must have frequent 

 stirrings. The plants must be carefully examined, and whenever infested 

 by the aphis, or green fly, they should be destroyed, if in the greenhouse, 

 by tobacco smoke. But, if in rooms, that method cannot be well adopted, 

 for the odor would penetrate into every part of the dwelling. They 

 should in that case be brushed off into a pail of water ; or the safest plan 

 will be to make a strong tea of tobacco, fill a pail with it, and while in a 

 tepid state invert the plant therein, holding the hand or a cloth over the 

 surface of the pot to prevent the eartli from tumbling out. Roses in pots 

 are wonderfully benefited by a watering of manure water about once in 

 two weeks. This water is very easily prepared either in town or country. 

 The droppings from the horse or cow stable put into a large tub or barrel, 

 with Avater kept over it for a week or two, occasionally stirred up ; the 

 water then poured or drawn off for use about the color of good tea ; or 

 one quart of poudrette, put into three gallons of water — stir it a few 

 times, — in two days it will be fit for use. A new species of manure from 

 the islands of the Pacific, called Guano, the deposit of sea fowls that has 

 accumulated for centuries, is very valuable for making liquid manure. 

 A quarter of a pound, in three gallons of water, frequently stirred before 

 using, will be found very nourishing ; indeed one pound to sixteen gal- 

 lons, will be strong enough to use by the inexperienced, for if used much 

 stronger than I have stated, it would injure plants in pot culture. When 

 required for the open ground, watering with any of these liquids may be 

 made stronger, or used more frequently. 



We shall have occasion to refer to this volume again in 

 reference to the synonyms of many kinds of roses. 



* The plants for winter blooming' should be ordered from the venders of an extra 

 size 5 the very small plants sold at low prices would defeat the object. 



