770 



OPEN FLOWER-GARDEN. 



not very clearly appear, beyond a compliance 

 with the wish of some horticultural societies, 

 who, to enhance the importance of their exhibi- 

 tions, have held out prizes for roses grown in 

 this manner. It has, however, no doubt pro- 

 duced two advantages — a trial of skill amongst 

 rose-cultivators, and presenting those of the 

 public who frequent such shows with roses in a 

 greater state of perfection than when the flowers 

 are cut and exhibited alone, but which they would, 

 in all cases, see to .much greater advantage by 

 visiting the garden in which they are grown, for 

 roses do not travel well when in a flowering 

 state. In unpropitious soils and situations, 

 growing the more lender roses in pots is justi- 

 fiable, because during winter they can be re- 

 moved to a place of protection, and during their 

 growth in spring and season of flowering may 

 be placed in a warm and sheltered part of the 

 garden or rosary. Few, we opine, however, 

 excepting those decidedly under the affliction of 

 the " rose mania," will be disposed to cumber 

 their already crowded greenhouses with roses 

 of almost any description, when they can have 

 nearly as good growing in the open air, and that 

 at a season when roses abound. Of course, forced 

 roses flowering at an early season are not in- 

 cluded in these remarks. The day is, however, 

 we hope, not far distant when houses will be 

 erected for the sole purpose of growing the 

 finer and more delicate roses, as in such circum- 

 stances only, in unfavourable localities, can they 

 be expected to flower in full perfection. The 

 mere growing them in pots, as at present prac- 

 tised, offers but a poor substitute for the more 

 certain and gratifying mode of producing them 

 under the protection of glass. 



The plants for this purpose should be se- 

 lected early in autumn, and, according to some 

 cultivators, consist of such as are wrought on 

 stems from 6 to 10 inches in height, the stems 

 being straight and the root small, so as to be 

 readily admitted into a proper sized pot, and 

 rising exactly from its centre. Some may be em- 

 ployed of even a greater or less height of stem, 

 according to fancy. Mr Rivers says, " from 4 to 

 6 inches may be taken generally as the most eli- 

 gible height." The China and Tea-scented roses 

 are found to succeed best when on their own 

 roots, and some of the climbing kinds have been 

 successfully grown in the same way. Plants 

 which have been established in the open borders 

 for one or even two years, if healthy and hand- 

 some, are eligible for taking up in October, and 

 potting, using pots of 16 size for the smallest, 

 and 12's for the stronger growers. The soil 

 should be pretty strong turfy loam, to which an 

 equal quantity of rotten cow-dung should be 

 added, the pots thoroughly drained, and plunged 

 in a well-exposed part of the reserve garden, the 

 more tender sorts having the advantage of the 

 shelter of a south wall. If the plants are strong, 

 and have made long shoots during the previous 

 summer, these should be shortened to about 

 half their length at the time of potting, and 

 again to within five or six buds about the begin- 

 ning of March : the weaker ones, of course, 

 should be cut somewhat closer in, but seldom 

 to less than two or three buds. During April 



and May, if the weather is dry, water should be 

 administered to the roots daily, and if in an en- 

 riched state so much the better : besides this, 

 syringing over-head in the forenoon should not 

 be neglected. About the middle of May they 

 may be placed where they are to bloom ; and if 

 for private enjoyment, would be improved if 

 placed in a cool pit, and covered with sashes, 

 admitting air abundantly. This may even be 

 found necessary with the public exhibitor, to 

 forward his blooms to meet the day of competi- 

 tion. On the other hand, if they advance too ra- 

 pidly, he may retard their blooming by abundance 

 of air and partial shade, or by removing them to 

 a pit with a northern exposure. At any rate, to 

 have the flowers in their fullest state of perfec- 

 tion, they must be sheltered alike from dashing 

 rains, strong winds, and sometimes from too 

 powerful sunshine. We are certain the rose 

 amateur would secure a finer display of roses 

 were he to cover each plant in April with a 

 cloche, or with a glazed case 18 or 20 inches 

 square, filled in with Hartley's patent glass, 

 keeping them a few inches clear of the 

 ground, as by setting them on bricks, for the 

 admission of air ; and if a small opening were 

 permanently left in the top, so much the better : 

 in fact, so many rose-houses in miniature. When 

 grown on their own roots, they will require one 

 year's cultivation — that is, not to be allowed to 

 flower until the second, and the weakest even 

 not until the third. Great care must be taken 

 with Chinas and Tea-scented roses that they 

 be not over potted, and also that the compost 

 employed be lighter than that used for the 

 stronger-growing sorts wrought on stocks of 

 whatever kind. During their whole progress 

 the roots must be prevented from extending 

 beyond the limits of the pots, which may be 

 effected by taking them up and examining them 

 when this is suspected to be the case. Some 

 object to plunging altogether on this account, 

 and also from believing that, if the roots are ex- 

 posed more directly to the heat of the sun, the 

 plants are improved thereby. There is no 

 doubt much truth in this ; but, on the other 

 hand, the roots on the outside of the ball, and 

 which are always the best, are liable to sustain 

 injury when the sides of the pots become heated 

 by the sun : of the two evils it is better to choose 

 the former, which is the least. The roots of 

 roses dislike heat and drought. Roses may be 

 grown to a considerable size and for several 

 years in pots, by attending to a regular annual 

 shifting; and this should take place in October, 

 when the old soil must be entirely discarded, 

 the roots thinned, shortened, and, where dead or 

 diseased, totally removed. They are then to be 

 re-potted in fresh soil, and in pots the same size 

 they formerly grew in, unless in cases where it is 

 desired to have very large plants, or where the 

 plants are luxuriant and healthy, when a larger 

 pot must be given them. 



Roses suitable for this mode of culture may 

 be taken from most of the groups or sections 

 the family is now divided into. The following 

 are amongst the best : General Allard, General 

 Kleber, Charles Duval, Coupe d'Hebe, Paul 

 Perras, Richelieu, Sophie de Marsilly, Madame 



