1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 5 



8 



THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.' 



To the Editor : — A work like the one you project is a want long \ 

 felt, and I congratulate you on the merit of endeavoring to supply it. 

 The midland States require an organ of intercommunication, while the 

 residents of all towns and cities feel much the absence of a cheap hor- 

 ticultural work, wherein the information necessary to the management 

 of their few flowers or small garden plot may be obtained. While 

 endeavoring to make your Magazine interesting to the practical gar- 

 dener, and useful to the scientific man, you will at the same time un- 

 doubtedly be well rewarded by the increased interest which your en- 

 deavors will give to the city lover of flowers, and in the assistance 

 which you will give to the management of our small city gardens. 

 There is a large field for a Horticultural Magazine. I believe that 

 the proprietor of a few window flowers, or a small garden in a town, 

 derives far more pleasure from his possessions than many do who live 

 in the country--certainlv far more interest is taken in them; and if 

 things be valued in proportion to their rarity, it is natural and is as it 

 should be. 



I have been led to these considerations by so often having to answer 

 the enquiries of citizens respecting their floral favorites ; and I propose 

 to offer you a few remarks occasionally on window and town garden- 

 ing, which I trust will be serviceable and seasonable. So far as Phila- 

 delphia is concerned just now, much cannot be done. As I am writ- 

 ing this, the snow is six inches deep, and promises to continue ; when- 

 ever opportunity offers however, attention should be paid to the prun- 

 ing and trimming of vines and shrubs. There are few gardens in 

 towns, no matter how small, which do not possess some of these. 



The Rose is a universal favorite everywhere. It is deservedly so ; 

 but its beauties are enhanced by skilful pruning. This season Jack 

 Frost has been rather too officious, and Roses in many places have 

 considerable portions of them killed ; all dead wood should at once 

 be cut away. There are several kinds of roses generally grown in 

 small gardens; each kind requires a separate system of pruning. For 

 general use the rule is best which requires the division to be in two 

 classes: those of a strong and those of a weak habit of growth. Roses 

 of a weak habit may have their last year's shoots cut into three or 

 four eyes of the place whence they started. If the stronger growing 

 kinds are so treated, they will produce only shoots again; these should 

 be shortened to about two-thirds their length, and the weak shoots 

 cut out entirely. If the space appropriated to a strong growing rose 

 be limited, one-half the strong shoots may be cut down to an 

 Ug eye or two, and the rest left at nearly their whole length. This, while J^ 

 (+' affording abundance of flowers, will afford shoots for another season, Gn 



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