54 



EVERT WOMAN HER OWN FLOWER GARDENER. 



in the autumn. Too many roses ! Has any one ever witnessed such a 

 season ? Let them bloom when they will, and cut oflf the stems as soon 

 as the leaves fall ; then remove the soil to the depth of three or four 

 inches, and spread over it, almost close to the stem, a spadeful of cow 

 manure well decayed ; throw back the soil that was removed, and, if the 

 weather is hot and dry, water occasionally, and you will have a vigorous 

 growth and a profuse flowering. 



The flower stalk should always be cut off; it exhausts the plant to 

 form seeds, and consumes the strength which should go to forming new 

 shoots. When roses are planted in lawns, they should have no sods near 

 the roots; for the grass will absorb all the moisture, and also prevent 

 the air from reaching the soil. 



The best time to plant hardy roses is in October or November, accord- 

 ing to the climate. 



Spring months are better for planting half-hardy and tender roses, 

 as their roots will not get started before winter sets in. Of course, in 

 the mild climates of the Southern States, they can also be planted in 

 the late autumn. When first set out they should be mulched with 

 coarse manure, and watered occasionally, if the weather is warm and dry. 



Cuttings of Roses. 



Eoses are propagated chiefly by cuttings, layers and buds. Cuttings 

 of the hardy kind of roses, will strike easily in July and August. 

 Hybrid Perpetual, Chinese and Bourbon, with all the other kinds will 

 grow readily, if the cutting has, what gardeners term, a heel ; that is, 

 cut off close to the old wood. Three, four or even six eyes can be left 

 above ground. 



Plant them as recommended in chapter six ; in wet sand. A dozen 

 cuttings can be set an inch apart, close to the pot ; and the sand should 

 not be allowed to dry at all. If covered with a " cloche^^ or hand-glass, 

 a moist temperature will be kept up, and, in two or three weeks, they 

 will commence to grow. 



Layering Roses. 



Roses grown as dwarfs or bushes are the kind that will layer advan- 

 tageously. Loosen the soil about the plant, then choose a good shoot, 

 strip off a few leaves from six inches to two feet from the point of 

 the shoot; insert a sharp knife just behind an eye, on the upper side 



