THE 



GARDENER'S MAGAZINE, 



MAY, 1836. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Art. I. Gardening Notices suggested by a Tour in France, in August 

 and September, 1835. By T. Rivers, Jun. 



Forcing the Rose. — At Lisle, in one of the numerous small 

 nursery gardens, I was interested with what might be called a 

 most eligible mode of forcino; the rose. In this instance, a small 

 span-roofed house was used. A border on each side of the 

 central path was planted widi roses budded on dog rose stems 

 of different heights; the shortest stems being put next the 

 path, so as to make their heads form a sloping bank. The sur- 

 face of these borders was covered with manure, to keep them in 

 a constantly moist state. The common smoke flues were used 

 for heating this house ; and the owner informed me that, by 

 beginning to force in December, roses were gathered from it 

 plentifully for the market in March and April. 



After the crop of flowers was gathered, the lights were taken 

 ofl" in May, and the plants exposed till the period for forcing 

 again arrived. This method appeared so simple and economical, 

 that I took a memorandum merely for the purpose of suggesting 

 it to your readers ; and, for growing moss and other roses for 

 bouquets near London, it might, I think, with some little modifi- 

 cation, be carried extensively and profitably into practice. In 

 this way, also, with but very little trouble, a rose garden in full 

 bloom and luxuriance might be created as early as the end of 

 February ; and, by selecting some of the ever-blooming varieties, 

 continued nearly through the whole year. And what a delight- 

 ful sheltered promenade might thus be formed by those who, 

 regardless of expense, would build an elegant span-roofed house, 

 with movable lights, so as to form an agreeable resort, not only 

 in early spring, but also at the end of summer and autumn ! for 

 in September and October, and even in November, the Noisette, 

 China, and perpetual roses, regardless of having been forced, 

 would bloom again as luxuriantly as ever. 



Vol. XII.— No. 74. s 



