104 THE ROSE BOOK 



buds has inspired the following very charming story of 

 the birth of the Moss rose : 



" The angel of the flowers, orre day. 

 Beneath a rose tree sleeping lay — 

 That spirit to whose charge is given 

 To bathe young buds in dews from heaven. 

 Awaking from his light repose. 

 The angel whispered to the Rose, 

 ' O, fondest object of my care. 

 Still fairest found where all are fair. 

 For the sweet shade thou'st given to me 

 Ask what thou wilt, 'tis granted thee.' 

 ' Then,' said the Rose, with deepened glow, 

 • On me another grace bestow.' 

 The Spirit paused, in silent thought, 

 What grace was there that flower had not ? 

 'Twas but a moment — o'er the Rose 

 A veil of moss the Spirit throws, 

 And, robed in Nature's simplest weed. 

 Could there a flower that Rose exceed ? " 



The comparative scarcity of Moss roses in our 

 gardens is probably owing to the fact that growers bud 

 them upon the Manetti, a stock that should be banished 

 from gardens as far as possible. Fine, showy plants are 

 obtained the first year, but when planted in the amateur's 

 garden they are very liable to die. If own root plants 

 were obtained, far greater success would result. It 

 should be possible to supply own root plants because 

 they are readily produced by layers. Moss roses like 

 good cultivation, and when established should be en- 

 riched with manure. At pruning time, late in March, the 

 shoots should not be cut back too hard except at the 

 first pruning. Then they may be shortened to within 



