ii8 A BOOK ABOUT ROSES 



would be to see the Roses reflected, like Narcissus, in 

 such a mirror — to muse upon beauty, like Plato 

 beneath the planes which grew by the waters of 

 Ilissus — we should simultaneously strengthen the 

 cruel power of our fiercest enemy, frost. Let us 

 content ourselves with cisterns for soft water, with 

 pumps, syringes, and guttapercha tubes. 



I must not finish my harangue on arrangement 

 until I have answered a question often asked, * Where 

 the space devoted to Roses is too limited for the 

 diversity of forms in which the Rose may be grown, 

 what form do you consider the best ? * There can be 

 no debate nor doubt in replying, * The most attractive, 

 abundant, and abiding system upon which you can 

 grow Roses, is to plant them in beds (remembering 

 all I have said about soil and situation), upon their 

 own roots, or budded upon dwarf stocks (I will tell 

 you which is best by and by), and then to treat them 

 thus : — Plant in November, and, in the following 

 summer, promote all possible growth. In the ensuing 

 spring, the long, strong shoots, only shortened 4 or 5 

 inches (all weakly produce being excised), must be 

 very gently and gradually bent down to earth, and 

 secured with thick wooden hooks, cut from the trees 

 and hedgerows, two or three to each lateral branch. 

 These branches will not only flower early and late, 

 but, if well treated, will make robust wood in the 



