ROSES 411 



sandy soil, the new plant being thus easily removed when it has 

 developed roots and become independent of the stock. 



Roses in pots or tubs. In the low-country and hot dry region, 

 Roses generally do better in pots or wooden tubs than in an open 

 border, owing to the unsuitable conditions of soil or climate. The 

 former method enables the requirements of the plants to be better 

 attended to, for the tubs can be rilled with only the best soil and 

 provided with efficient drainage, while the plants, being movable, 

 may be afforded the most suitable spot in regard to light and 

 shelter. 



Diseases. Roses are, on the whole, comparatively free from 

 diseases in the tropics, mildew and " black spot," both fungus 

 diseases, being perhaps the most prevalent. For the former, an 

 occasional sprinkling of flowers of sulphur is a simple and effective 

 remedy, and for the latter, which Mr. N. C. ROLT considers the 

 worst enemy of the rose in Ceylon, formaldehyde diluted to a 

 strength of 1/8 per cent, i.e., 1 tablespoonful to a gallon of soft 

 water, has been found to be an excellent preventive. 



Importing Roses. When new plants or varieties are required, 

 they should when practicable be obtained from a reliable rirm at 

 home, such as MESSRS. CANT & Soxs of The Old Rose Nurseries, 

 Colchester, England. The plants being packed dry when in a 

 dormant state, they take up but little space and can be transmitted 

 in small packages by post. Though a good firm can be relied upon 

 for sending the best varieties, it is well to remember that only roses 

 on their own roots are adapted to the tropics, also that standard 

 roses are not suitable. Small rooted cuttings travel well when their 

 roots are in a ball of adhesive earth and surrounded by moss and 

 waterproof paper; the stems, however, must have plenty of air, or 

 will rot in transit. When imported plants arrive, especially if the 

 weather be dry, they should be grown in bamboo-pots in the shade 

 for a few weeks before being planted out. 



VARIETIES 



The success of rose cultivation in the tropics very largely 

 depends on the kinds or varieties chosen. This is more especially 

 true of the plains or low-country, where, as a rule, only "Teas," 

 " Noisettes" and " Bourbons" will thrive. "Hybrid Perpetuals" 

 may be considered generally as unsuited to elevations below 2,500 

 ft., and even in the hills may. with few exceptions, be superseded 

 bv the excellent H vbrid-Tea varieties now available. 



