258 The Rose Mmmal 



We have now referred to Mr. Buist's volume again, in 

 order to supply some interesting information, to lovers 

 of the rose, which we had not time nor space to do be- 

 fore, and shall also give several extracts from the Guide 

 of Mr Rivers, which will be valuable to all cultivators. 



When the multiflora rose was first introduced into Phila- 

 delphia, it is said that twenty dollars were frequently paid 

 for a single plant. Laure Davotistisrvoysr Xhe most splendid 

 of this class, but it is too tender to stand our winters, 

 though, in some sheltered and dry situations it does very 

 well. Russelliana is a fine variety of the multiflora, and 

 the author thus speaks of it, and the mode of pruning this 

 family. 



Russelliana — Scarlet Grevillia, Russell's Cottage Kose, Cottage Rose, 

 and I believe it is sold under some other titles besides, is considerably hy- 

 bridized, but not so as to lose its character as a pillar rose, of which it is 

 one of the best. I have pillars of it twenty feet high, forming, during 

 the month of June, a very attractive object, having a profusion of tlowers 

 of the richest shades of crimson ; many of them being striped with white. 

 From the base to the pinnacle it is one mass of glowing beauty. Perfect- 

 ly hardy in our coldest latitudes, it has large, rich, green foliage, very dis- 

 tinctly and deeply nerved, the shoots are strong and erect, and will grow 

 freely in any soil or situation. The old shoots only should be thinned 

 out ; the young wood ought never to be shortened unless locality demands 

 it. The same style of pruning will apply to all the varieties of the IMultiflo- 

 ra. This operation should be performed early in the spring, before the 

 buds swell, but never when the wood is in a frozen state. In more south- 

 ern climates pruning can be done at any period, from December to Janua- 

 ry ; but in the middle and eastern states it should be undertaken as soon 

 as frost is out of the wood, in February or March, and the plants tied or 

 nailed at once to their respective supports. — Buist's Manual, p. 23. 



Hints on the General culture of Climbing Roses. — They will grow lux- 

 uriantly on any aspect or situation, provided they are not entirely shaded 

 by trees overliead. The roots of trees and plants, generally, are of a 

 growth proportionate to that of their branches ; from this data, and experi- 

 ence provTss it, we find that roses of strong growth make strong roots, strik- 

 ing deep into the soil, and extending horizontally in quest of food to a sur- 

 prising length ; they require a rich soil, \\hich before planting, should be 

 well pulverized and freely broken ; it should be of a character inclining 

 more to sand than clay ; if the latter predominate it must be well incorpor- 

 ated with sand and old manure until it becomes of a friable nature. With 

 two feet depth of such a soil, they will grow many yeare and bloom pro- 

 fusely. When any decline is observed, it will indicate that they are in 

 want of nourishment, which can easily be supplied by digging in about 

 their roots three or four inches thick of manure or rich compost. For 

 such an operation the month of November to early in spring is the best 

 period of the j^ear. Wherever their situation may be, all the pruning 

 they require is merely to thin out the wood where it is too crowded, and 



