1 02 THE BOOK OF THE WINTER GARDEN 



rather drier and cut the current year's shoots to within 

 four buds of the older stems, and place the plants 

 in a temperature of 50 to ^^ degrees, removing 

 when the buds break to one 60 degrees night and 

 70 degrees day and avoiding a stronger heat, which only 

 produces limp-like shoots. Roses require a damp atmo- 

 sphere ; this is best secured by spreading decaying leaves 

 or cocoanut fibre to the thickness of lo inches and 

 plunging the pots therein. The foliage may be dewed 

 over up to the time the buds show colour. The early 

 roses can go in the winter tomato-house, the late into the 

 early vinery or other warm house. The late roses are 

 treated in the same way, the pots should be covered with 

 litter, or plants sheltered by a frame, until they are 

 introduced into heat. 



After flowering, harden off, and plunge the pots in 

 April, choosing a sunny position. These pot plants, if 

 liberally fed during the first part of the summer, will be 

 suitable for forcing again in the autumn. 



Favourite varieties such as Niphetos, General Jacque- 

 minot, Wm. Allen Richardson, Reine d'Or, Caroline 

 Kuster, Prince de Bulgarie, Homer, and Sunrise, will be 

 represented in most selections. 



The fairy roses, popular nowadays, and very free 

 flowerers, are charming miniature polyantha roses. A 

 lesser heat is more suitable for these. With rich loamy 

 soil, and 5-inch pots, good batches can be had. Sow 

 seed in February, and pinch off flower buds that appear 

 in summer, keeping the plants in a sunny frame or 

 plunged in open. 



A few sweet briars should be forced for their pleasantly 

 scented shoots. 



