410 SELECTIONS FOR UP-COUNTRY 



should be raised into beds or borders, so as to ensure good drainage. 

 A mulching of stable manure, renewed at intervals, should cover the 

 whole surface and sides of the beds ; this will protect the latter 

 from the sun and retain moisture in the soil. Young plants should 

 be chosen for planting out in preference to old ones. Any flower 

 buds that may appear early should be removed, as the plants should 

 not be allowed to bear blooms until at least 3 to 4 months after 

 planting. In dry weather, the plants must be liberally watered. 



Manuring. Dung, when applied, should always be in a well- 

 decomposed state ; otherwise grubs and termites will come in its 

 wake. As a further precaution against these, a sprinkling of 

 unslaked lime should be added to the manure before being forked 

 into the soil. Castor cake forms an excellent manure for the 

 growth of the plants, w r hile phosphate fertilisers are considered 

 important for the function of blooming. An expert grower recom- 

 mends basic slag at the rate of i to 1 Ib. per plant, either alone, 

 or incorporated with the dung when replenishing the beds. An 

 application of liquid manure once or twice a week is most 

 beneficial . 



Pruning Roses. As a general rule Tea, Noisette, and Bourbons, 

 which are the only kinds suited to the low-country, do not need 

 much pruning beyond the removal of worn out or dead wood. 

 Branches that have made vigorous growth and have finished 

 flowering should be cut back, otherwise the plants will assume a 

 ragged and straggling appearance. The Hybrid Perpetual varie- 

 ties are, however, generally benefited by a hard pruning, and this. 

 is best carried out, in the hill districts at any rate, towards the end 

 of October; thus the new growth which follows should afford a 

 display of bloom during the " hot season " months in the hills, viz., 

 February to May. 



Propagation. This is invariably effected in the tropics by 

 cuttings or layering, as plants on their own roots are the most 

 adapted to the climate. Cuttings may be put down at any season, 

 and they strike best in a soil consisting mainly of fine sand with an 

 admixture of charcoal. It is customary to make the cuttings with 

 a heel when possible, and it is best to insert them in the ground 

 sloping-wise. They should be shaded and kept moist until new 

 growth is visible. Layering is adopted in the case of varieties, 

 which do not propagate easily by cuttings, e.g. " Marechal Niel," 

 and is successfully effected at Peradeniya all the year round. The 

 layered shoot is pegged down into a bamboo- joint rilled with fine 



