176 



THE BOOK OF THE ROSE 



CHAP. 



mulched with good decomposed manure in an open airy 

 place sheltered from strong winds, where the shoots, 

 slightly thinned, may ripen and mature. In either case, 

 they should be re-potted about October, the crocks being 

 removed, and also as much of the surface soil as possible 

 without disturbing the bulk of the roots. The compost 

 generally used is two-thirds of fibrous but strong loam 

 with one-third of thoroughly decomposed old cow 

 manure. For the Teas, a little sharp grit and leaf mould 

 may be added. 



Roses, if well taken care of, get used to a pot life, 

 whether forced or more naturally treated. They will 

 get accustomed to an early spring growth, and will rest 

 and ripen in the autumn as if it was really their winter. 

 They should however be kept rather dry at that time, 

 to help the ripening and check undesirable growth. 

 After re-potting, they will of course require watering 

 and attention that the roots may spread in the fresh 

 material provided. By November the pots may be 

 taken into the cool house, for pruning in January, and 

 to be ready for a warmer house to be forced. 



In forcing Roses, it should be remembered, as Mr. 

 William Paul so well explains in The Rose Garden, that 

 we change all the seasons for the plants under our care. 

 We make winter spring, spring summer, and summer 

 autumn, and we must make autumn like winter, in that 

 it shall be a season of rest. In making artificial seasons 

 we must see that they come gradually as they do in 

 Nature, and when we commence to start the plants 

 about the New Year, we must remember that spring- 

 nights are cold, and spring days are not very warm, so 

 that a temperature of from 45° to 50°, or 55° from sun- 

 heat, by day, and 38° to 40° or a very little more by 

 night, will be quite high enough for a beginning. 



