MARECHAL NIEL HOSE. 39 



tion at all times, and sufficient heat in winter to exclude 

 frost. It will submit to moderate forcing for an early 

 bloom ; but the cultivator must be cautious to use always 

 the least possible amount of artificial heat for the purpose 

 in view, for there are no roses, whether hardy or tender, 

 that can endure a high temperature, except it be in sum- 

 mer, when growth is vigorous and air can be admitted 

 freely. The result of injudicious forcing must always be 

 a plague of insects first, and mildew to follow, with a bloom 

 wanting in quality, and more especially wanting in colour. 



The choice of the roots for any rose is always a matter 

 of importance. This fine variety, in common with many 

 others, thrives on its own roots ; therefore when raised 

 from cuttings is likely to prosper. But it does not thrive 

 on the generally useful Manetti stock that is so largely 

 employed in the propagation of useful garden roses. In 

 all rose gardens the practice of the propagator is to bud 

 Marechal Mel on the English briar; and it appears to 

 be well situated for healthy growth on briar stocks of 

 three to five feet high. The amateur is, therefore, warned 

 against experiments that may end in disappointment. 

 There may be many suitable stocks for Marechal Niel in 

 addition to the English briar, but we do not know of them. 

 The reader who is disposed to find a better may, for a first 

 trial, try Mr. Bennett's grand rose Her Majesty, for that 

 appears adapted to serve as a stock for the most vigorous- 

 growing roses, such as the Marechal, Gloire de Dijon, and 

 the race of vigorous hybrid Bourbon roses. 



The grave question of the pruning comes in here. In 

 a few words we shall be enabled to combine a general with a 

 particular lesson. In the first place, then, those who do not 

 know exactly how to prune should not prune at all. This 



