Culture qfRosa odorata. 427 



It consists of frames, made of light thin deal, in the manner 

 of cucumber lights. These have some fine cambric calico, 

 strained tight, and nailed on the frames, which are oiled with 

 clear linseed oil once over. They admit nearly as much light 

 as glass, will repel the wet, and completely prevent the sun's 

 rays from injui'ing the blooms or plants. 



I think of using the same frames, or lights, as an awning 

 for my carnations, as I have made them exactly to fit the 

 carnation stages. I do think this description of covering 

 would answer well for covering tulips, ranunculuses, or any 

 kinds of florists' flowers, as being preferable to thick mats, 

 canvass, &c. I remain, Sir, &c. 



P. Cornfield. 

 Kingsweli Street, Northampton, May 18. 1829. 



Art. XV. On the Culture of the Rosa odorata, the Sweet or Tea- 

 scented Rose. By Mr. J. Elles, late of Longleat Gardens. 



Sir, 



The sweet-scented China rose, although universally admit- 

 ted to be a most lovely flower, is still, generally speaking, not 

 a common plant in our flower borders ; and yet it may be pro- 

 pagated with the utmost possible facility, and, when planted 

 out in the open border, it is nearly, if not quite, as hardy as 

 the common China rose, which, during so many months in the 

 year, decorates the cottage and the flower-garden, but, unfor- 

 tunately, does not fill the air with that delicious perfume which 

 is exhaled in such profusion from its more favoured congener 

 the sweet-scented variety. To remedy this defect is the object 

 of the present communication. 



I have before observed, that it is nearly, if not quite, as 

 hardy, as the common China rose ; and, I believe, most people 

 consider the flower, independently of its fragrance, as more 

 beautiful, if not so showy. But its growth, in favourable 

 situations, almost exceeds credibility. I have seen upwards of 

 two hundred flowers and flower-buds upon a single shoot ; but 

 that was a shoot as thick as my little finger ; and this fine plant, 

 too, under the management of a poor weaver, a man of great 

 singleness of mind, an ardent lover of flowers, and, indeed, 

 altogether, a most praiseworthy individual.* This extraor- 

 dinary specimen, it is true, was budded and trained against 

 his cottage ; but no protection, save the eaves, was ever thought 

 of: and thus it has continued, for many years, his pride and 



* Mi\ John Parsons, Dilton's Marsh, Westbury. 



