62 



PERPETUAL ROSES. 



\_ApriL 



evident. Unfortunately, there are two-thirds of these roses 

 received both from France and England under the head of 

 Perpetuals, which only bloom once in our arid and hot cli- 

 mate ; of course, they will not make a second or third bloom- 

 ing, unless they, at the same time, grow freely and make 

 strong shoots ; consequently, they require very rich and deep 

 soil, strongly manured, and repeated manurings given every 

 year; also, very frequent waterings during the summer sea- 

 son, with liquid manure. Without such nourishment, the best 

 of perpetual rosQS will only flower but once a-year. It is a 

 peculiar feature in this tribe of roses, that they are nearly 

 all reluctant in rooting from layers; therefore, it will be dif- 

 ficult to procure them on their own bottoms. However, they 

 grow admirably, grafted on, or budded into, any of our strong- 

 growing native roses ; although the French Eglantine and 

 Marietta are most generally preferred. When grown in a 

 luxuriant and well-cultivated state, they require twice prun- 

 ing. First, in November, when the beds are dressed, cut 

 ofi" every shoot of the preceding summer's growth about 

 two-thirds, and if they are crowded, displace some of them 

 entirely. If this autumnal pruning be properly attended to, 

 they will, early in the following June, throw out a great 

 number of luxuriant shoots, each having one or more flowers. 

 When a little sacrifice must be made to have a fine autum- 

 nal bloom, therefore, leave only about half the number of 

 shoots to bring forth flowers, the remainder shorten to less 

 than half their lengths. Each shortened branch will soon 

 put forth buds, and in July and August the plants will again 

 be covered with flowers. Our fine-growing fall months will 

 greatly assist the plants without farther aid in bringing forth 

 their third blooming, which will be in September and Octo- 

 ber ; and Rose du Koi will even continue in mild seasons to 

 bloom till November. It is necessary, at all times, as soon 

 as the flower begins to fade, to cut it off, which greatly as- 

 sists the vigor of the plants. Although in color many of 

 them approximate each other, yet the following sorts will 

 prove sufficiently distinct : — 



Antinous, light crimson, beautifully formed, and perfectly 

 double. 



Billiard, rose color, very neat form, exceedingly sweet, and 

 perfectly double. 



