WSW GUIDE TO KOBE OIJLTURE. 



^; Soil. — Take good rich soil, mellow and friable. That made from old decomposed sods is the best. 

 >!( If manure is used, it should be old and thoroughly composted ; /resA tnanure is injurious. In some 

 •t places the soil is liable to be infested with the eggs or germs of injurious insects, such as small white 

 ' M^orms, &c.; these can be effectually destroyed by thoroughly heating or roasting the prepared earth 

 in a pan over a hot fire before using it for potting. 



HO"W to Pot. — Put a bit of broken crockery, charcoal, or other similar material, in the bottom of 

 each pot to facilitate drainage, then enough fine earth to raise the plant to a proper height. It should 

 not be much deeper than it was before. Next put in the plant and spread out its roots as near their 

 natural position as possible; then fill in fine earth and press down firmly with the hand. When done, 

 the pot should not be quite full ; a little space is needed for water. 



"Water. — When first potted, water thoroughly — -and if the sun is strong, shade for a few days- 

 then give full light and air — though the plants should not be allowed to wither for want of water, the 

 earlh should get moderately dry before watering again. Too much water is worse than not enough. 

 Very little water is needed until the plant starts to grow. 



Re-potting". — If the plant should get too large 'jr the pot, it can be shifted into a larger one at 

 any time. You can tell if it needs shifting by turning the plant and ball out in your hand; if the 

 earth is full of roots, matted and protruding against the sides of the pot, it can be re-potted at once. 

 To do this, set the ball in the middle of the new pot, talking care to place it no deeper than it was 

 before, then fill in fine earth all around, and pack it well to the bottom. 



"Why Roses Drop tlieir Leaves. — We are asked why Roses sometimes drop their leaves 

 after potting? It is usually owing to a change of tem.perature and other conditions; but it may result 

 from too large a pot, too much water, or other causes— in any case, the best remedy is perfect rest. 

 Keep the plant quite dry until new leaves begin to appear, then water sparingly ; the earth in the 

 pots should not remain soaked, but should dry out rapidly if plants are making a good growth. 



A Plant is in Health, when all its parts are in good working order, and established-;,under 

 favorable conditions of growth — but when taken up and removed, these conditions are unavoidably 

 changed, and time is required for it to accommodate itself to the change. When re-set, the plant 

 commences at once to repair damages, and prepare for growth — first, new roots push out, then gradu- 

 ally new leaves are formed. The old leaves, being adapted to the old conditions, cannot usually be 

 sustained by the limited quantity of nutriment the young roots are able to supply, so there being no 

 use for them they droop and fall. But new leaves will clothe the plant as fast as the roots can supply 

 material, and beautiful flowers will follow as soon as it is well established in its new home. 



General Treatment. — The conditions most favorable for growing Roses in pots are good rich 

 soil, plenty of sunshine — the early morning sun is best when it can be had — reasonable and regular 

 heat, and moderate moisture. The temperature may range from 40° to 50° at night to 60° to 80° in 

 day-time. Plants should be washed or sprinkled frequently in blood- warm water; the leaves should 

 be kept clean and bright — dust is injurious. If troubled with earth-worms, water occasionally with 

 weak lime-water, or very weak tobacco-water. 



Roses for Winter Bloom. — Roses that are intended for Winter bloom must be specially pre- 

 pared for the purpose. In order to bloom well it is essential that the plant be in a vigorous growing 

 condition and abundantly supplied with active feeding roots; ready to work at the time the flowers are 

 desired. Any treatment which puts the plant in condition to grow rapidly at the time you want the 

 fiowers is just what is necessary — this object can be obtained in different ways — ^we give below a few 

 illustrations, but there are other plans equally good which can be adopted if more convenient, 



We furnish Roses suitably prepared for "Winter Bloom during all the Fall and 

 Winter months, purchaser's choice of varieties — same price as at other times. These are strong pot- 

 grown plants that have been kept hungry. They are well furnished with working roots and are 

 anxiotis to get a chance to grow. If potted in good rich soil, and put at once in a warm room, they 

 will — with proper treatment — commence to grow and bloom immediately. 



Some Persons prefer to get Roses for Winter bloom in the Spring, and pot them at once in 

 large size pots, then plunge the pots in open ground in some partly shaded place, cultivate and keep 

 healthy during the Summer, but water sparingly, and take off all buds as they appear. On the ap- 

 proach of cold weather take up the pots^ remove as much of the top soil as can be done without dis- 



