-ROSES. 
In all the wide domain of Flora the Rose 
stands pre-eminent— the beautiful Queen of 
Flowers. It possesses and unites in one charm- 
ing whole all those features which singly char 
actcrizc our other popular flowers ; beauty and 
variety of form, rich colors and delicate tints, 
with the most delightful perfumes. It is withal 
adapted to such a wide range of climate, from 
the sunny South where the cver-blooming Teas 
delight the eye with a never-ceasing display of 
of delicately-tinted and perfumed blossoms, 
to the far North, where each returning season 
brings forth a glorious burst of deep and richly 
colored blooms, with their powerful and delic- 
ious odors. Since the history of flowers began, 
the Rose has held the place of honor among its 
beautiful companions, and will continue to 
reign as long as summers come and go. The 
sight of a perfect Rose always awakens the purest and most refined feelings in the human breast — a mis- 
sionary of beauty and refinement wherever it is found. 
The Rose will live, grow and bloom when once established with little or no attention, but, as with every- 
thing else, perfection can be obtained only through skillful and intelligent effort, and to bring out the glor- 
ious possibilities of the Rose reqxiires a knowledge and supply of its wants. We therefore give below gen- 
eral instructions for its cultivation ; of course we have no r<»om for an elaborate treatise on Rose growing, 
but if the directions we give are carefully observed, the result will prove a surprise to most amateurs, bring 
them an abundant harvest of larger and more richly-colored, fragrant flowers than they perhaps have ever 
seen, for the great majority of Roses planted each year receive no care after they begin to grow, and never 
produce such blooms as thej' would under good treatment. Insects and disease also seldom attack plants 
which are kept in vigorous growing condition, but seek first the feeble and neglected bushes. 
Of all care which is given plants, that is the most important which is bestowed on them at the start and while they 
are becoming established. Conseqtiently particular attention shouhl be given to 
Preparing the Soil. 
As remarked above, Roses will grow with but little cultivation and in any common soil, but they LUXURIATE in a 
deep soil ; if the natural soil of the garden is of this character nothing need be done but to spade in a dressing of well' 
decomposed manure l>efore planting. Spent hot-bed manure is just the kind required, but this cannot always be readily 
obtained, and any thoroughly rotted manure will answer if free from litter. 
In most gardens the t)nly trouble is that the ground is not rich enough. This is easily remedied by applying a heavy 
coat of manure and spading it in through the soil to the depth of abotit eighteen inches ; it should be thoroughly incor- 
porated with the soil, and the whole well broken up with the spade. Where the soil is naturally heavy and wet, par- 
ticularly of a clayey nature, the whole bed will have to be changed before it will grow Ro.ses successfully. To accom- 
plish this, remove the earth from the surface to the depth of eighteen inches and replace with good soil ; this latter can 
be obtained by removing the surface of the sod from an old pasture and taking the earth immediately below for about 
three inches ; this will be fine and porous, containing the roots and fibres of the grass, and when well manured makes 
the best kind of soil for Roses. If the position is very wet, it should of course, be well drained, as nothing is more 
injurious to Roses than a wet soil. Roses planted in a deep, rich soil find no lack of food for their roots, and should 
go on increasing in size and beauty indefinitely, each year yielding a larger number of finer and richer blossoms. In 
old Rose gardens may be found thousands of plants twenty years old, still growing and improving. 
Planting. 
The beds having been prepared for their reception, the Roses may be planted as soon as received, if the weather is favorable. Have the 
roots moist, and plant somewhat deeper than grown ; if in dry weather, pour in a little water before filling up the hole around the roots, but 
do not let the surface become wet, as this causes it to bake ; then press the soil down firmly around the plant. Protect for a few days from 
the hot sun, until the plant becomes established in its new home, when it should commence to grow at once. 
Pruning. 
The first spring after the Roses are planted, they will require no pruning except to remove the dead branches ; indeed it is not necessary 
that they should ever be pruned more than this, as they will increase in size each year without it, but their beauty is greatly enhanced by 
always keeping the bitshes trimmed into good shape. 
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