Cultural Notes. 129 



temperature given it should be above the average, but 

 .still under the maximum. Repeated trials have con- 

 vinced me that in my soil the night temperature best 

 suited to Perle during the three dark months, is 62°, 

 and prefer 63° to 60° or 61°. Allusion has previously 

 Deen made to a trial of this rose in a heavy soil, and 

 the unfavorable result that followed. If your soil is 

 v^ry heavy and you have not the means of lightening 

 it, the temperature will need to be some higher, 63° to 

 65°. A light loam is undoubtedly the best, and if that 

 is not at hand, reduce the texture of your soil by the 

 addition of one-fourth clean sand. Let the compost 

 used be old and well decomposed. Mix all thoroughly 

 by turning several times before bringing into the house. 

 I would not advise the use of bone meal for this variety 

 except in a vei-y small quantity, until Januarj^, being 

 careful during December not to mulch or feed heavily. 

 From the time the buds are wanted until October, the 

 quality of the buds will be greatly enhanced by disbud- 

 ding all laterals, but after this date this should not be 

 practiced, as throwing all the sap to the centre bud 

 tends to malform it. On the contrary, from this time 

 until spring, the buds should be watched as they form, 

 and if the centre one on the strong shoots shows any 

 tendency to curve or cling its petals, it should be re- 

 moved at once, thus giving the strength of the plant 

 to the development of laterals, which will usually 

 form fine buds. With the turn of the season and strong 



