264 
THE ROSE, 
the gardens of Pliny, expressed the name of the owner of the villa, or the planter who 
had the charge of the garden, 
Pliny and Columella mention March and April to be the months during which Rosaries 
should he dug up, and otherwise prepared for the reception of Rose trees. Palladius 
reiterates this observation, and adds, that even in November they may be made in warm 
and sunny spots, and in localities near the sea-side. 
Roses, according to Theophrastus and Pliny, were sometimes raised from seed, but 
the growth of the plant when thus propagated was very slow, in consequence, as they 
allege, of the seeds being situated within the bark of the tree and under the flower, and 
also from their having a woolly covering. Loudon remarks, that the seeds of the Rose 
require to be one year in the soil before they vegetate, thus confirming the statement 
made by Pliny, that “ they grow very slowly from seed.” From the remarks made by 
Theophrastus and Pliny, we may infer that the fruit or cynorrhodium of the Rose was 
planted entire, and that from the custom of raising Roses from seed several seedling 
varieties must have been obtained. The more favourable and generally employed method 
for propagating Roses was by cuttings or planting young shoots of Rose trees. The 
cuttings were to be four or more fingers in length, and were to be planted some time in 
April, and not to be removed until the following spring. When they were transplanted, 
the young trees were to be placed at the distance of a foot from each other, and were to be 
frequently dug round. They required a light soil ; but it was to be neither rich or clayey, 
and was to be free from springs. Loudon remarks, that Rose trees require a rich soil, 
inclining to a clayey, rather than a sandy nature. Their favourite soil, Pliny remarks, 
was earth covered or mixed with the rubbish collected from old buildings. 
According to Theophrastus, Rose trees were cut back, and were also burnt down, by 
which means the Rose trees were increased in size, and produced a larger number of 
flowers, and the flowers themselves were rendered more beautiful. The same writer also 
states, that when the Rose tree was frequently transplanted, it grew with greater rapidity, 
and the flower was improved in appearance. 
The Rose tree cuttings and scions, observes Pliny, required to be planted deeper than 
young fruit trees, and not so deep as vines ; the latter being sunk into the earth to the 
depth of 2 feet. 
Pliny and Columella mention that it was usual to cover plants with Lapis specularis 
(talc) when it was an object to make them produce their fruits early, and to this Martial 
refers in one of his epigrams : — • 
On Bacchus’ gifts lest envious Winter prey, 
And blast the purple produce on the spray, 
Beneath the crystal roof the vintage glows, 
And screened, not hid, the happy cluster grows. — Elphinston. 
From the same author we learn that a similar mode of proceeding was followed with 
respect to flowers : 
So through the crystal are the Lilies told : 
So does the gem the blushing Rose unfold. — Ibid. 
From Pliny and Palladius we learn that warm water was used for forcing Roses, and 
Seneca, in one of his Epistles, reprehends the luxury of those who in winter seek for 
Roses, and the employment of warm water, and the adaptation of different temperatures 
for the purpose of producing spring flowers, and the Lily in the midst of frost. 
This remark recals the observation made by Biron, in Shakspeare’s play of “ Love’s 
Labour Lost.” 
Why should I joy in an abortive birth ? 
At Christmas I do no more desire a Rose, 
Than wish a Snow in May’s new fangl’d shows : 
But like of each thing that in season grows. 
The rarity of early Roses made them valuable, and, like all vegetable productions 
