34 
FORCING ROSES. 
form an excellent fibrous loam, -which modern chemistry has shown to comprise 
all the best earths proper , i.e. one or two alkalies as silicates, phosphate of lime, mag- 
nesia, and common salt, with more or less organic vegetable remains, which latter are 
augmented by the vegetable mould, or humus that is derived from very old manure 
heaps, or wood piles, the bottom portion of which is in a complete state of decay. 
The mould is added by little and little, as potting proceeds, while the sucker is 
wound three, four, or five times round the inside of the pot, filling up with the 
compost, and pressing it firmly down, to keep the sucker from starting. The work 
of potting being complete, the pots are plunged to their brims in an open bed, in 
quincunx alternation, close to one another, and fully exposed to sun and air. 
Mr. Salisbury made no allusion to drainage, but surely nothing can be better, or 
so good as bruised charcoal, in pieces not larger than hazel nuts, placed half an inch 
above the oyster shell or piece of crock which covers the hole. 
Referring to the pots, it is said that their small size may surprise many gardeners, 
but the plants will produce stronger blossoms than might be expected, even the first 
year, if the suckers be large ; and as they are to be shifted annually, it is absolutely 
necessary to begin with small pots. To have a plentiful supply of blossoms during 
December, January, February, March, April, and May, from 100 to 300 suckers 
must be prepared. 
Mr. Salisbury gives the description of what he calls a forcing-frame, with a cut, 
of which the annexed figure will convey a pretty correct idea. Hot water was 
not known at the period when he wrote, or at 
least was little used ; now, however, the tank T, 
in the centre of a warm steam-chamber C, with 
sloping sides and a covering slab of slate, the 
tank fed by a pipe which passes from near its 
entrance at e, and returning through the central 
channel of the tank, would give command of 
atmospheric and gentle bottom heat. On the 
subject of heating, Mr. Salisbury says that he 
prefers a flue to run through the whole floor 
from one end to the other, which if built thick, 
and the fire-place as well as chimney-top be 
well closed up after the heat shall have pene- 
trated the flue, the air within will be heated with 
little fuel, and require no attendance during 
night, except in very severe weather. 
The dimensions of the house or frame are 
five feet in width, seven feet high behind, and 
from six to nine inches in front, a pitch which was found to admit most sun during 
the depth of winter when its meridional altitude is at its minimum. 
It will be plain to all, that a small boiler or even a branch pipe from some 
