109 



ON ROSES IN POTS. 



BY AN AMATEUR. 



When the plants do not thrive, when the leaves become yellow, or when they 

 are infested with the green fly, examine the bottoms of the pots, and probably 

 the roots will be found protruding through them ; the plant in this state is left 

 without proper support, and is deprived of the nourishment necessary to keep it 

 in vigour. Such plants should instantly be repotted in a pot one size larger. 

 Since I adopted this plan I have had no difficulty in keeping my roses in a healthy 

 condition. If I perceive them troubled with the honey-dew, I immediately well 

 wash them ; and during the hot weather I give them plenty of water. I prefer 

 rather a light soil, though I know some do not ; but if the soil used be good, the 

 pots well drained (and not too small), and the repotting attended to, I am in no 

 fear of having unsightly plants. I have invariably observed, that if the roots 

 grow through the bottom of the pot, the plant directly begins to show some 

 unhealthy leaves. Other plants, as well as roses, are affected in a similar manner 

 from the same cause— a want of due support to the roots. To those readers of the 

 Floral Cabinet who, like the writer, cultivate flowers as an amusement for a little 

 leisure, this information may be useful, as it is the result of practical experience, 

 and is now the saving of much annoyance to An Amateur. 



OF THE SCENT OR AROMA OF FLOWERS. 



The fragrance of flowers is one of their most attractive and delightful proper- 

 ties. The scent as well as the colour of the blossoms of plants are among the 

 chief charms of nature, whether wild or cultivated. That flowers are endowed 

 with the power of effusing odours, is as certain as that it is a necessary part of 

 their economy. If destitute of scent and of high colours, insects would not be so 

 readily attracted to scatter and disperse the' pollen so necessary to the fruitfulness 

 of all flowering plants. 



But what we are more particularly about to call the attention of our reader 

 to on the present occasion, is the curious circumstance of almost all the most 

 colourless or most dingy-tinted blossoms being most odorous in the night. This 

 would appear as if nature intended to give increased value to one excellence for 

 the want of it in another. Naturalists have always observed that among the 

 feathered tribes of animals, those having the finest plumage are most defective in 

 song. Somewhat of the same law seems to obtain among the plants alluded to. 

 Some species of the genus Cheiranthus have very vividly-coloured flowers, and 

 which are also highly-scented during the clay ; but there are other species of no 

 beauty, nor otherwise inviting by daylight, which are exquisitely odoriferous 

 during the night. The petals of these last are invariably of a dull brown colour, 

 and as flowers are by no means showy. 



There are several other nyctantkii, night-plants, which are fragrant ; but in no 



