130 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
roots, whereas there is not another rose in cultivation that will do 
better on its own roots. As a proof of this, it is only necessary to 
refer to the gigantic specimen in the nurseries of Messrs. Kel way and 
Son, at Langport, Somerset. Last year this specimen covered the back 
wall and roof of a large orchard-house to a length of forty feet, and 
it would have extended over a greater portion of the wall and roof 
if the space could have been spared for it. Although it had only 
been planted out three years, it produced upwards of one thousand 
flowers last year, besides furnishing sufficient cuttings for the pro- 
pagation of five hundred plants for trade purposes. It is true the 
large specimen in the nurseries of Mr. Harrison, at l)arlington,which 
produced three thousand blooms during last year, and covered in 
December last an area of nearly C50 superficial feet of the roof of 
the house in which it is planted, was worked upon the Manetti ; but 
immediately it was turned out of the pot it pushed out roots of its 
own accord, and may be virtually considered on its “ own roots.” 
Of the vigour of this rose there appears to be very little limit, for 
last year the Darlington plant above referred to produced a shoot 
twenty-four feet long, and there is no telling what length it would 
have attained had not its progress been accidentally checked. 
The best way of cultivating Marechal Niel under glass in private 
gardens is to plant it in a border or large pot or box, and train it 
just under the rafters of the conservatory or greenhouse, unless there 
is a rose-house such as that figured in the “ Rose Book.” In the 
latter case, tlie rose-house will be the most appropriate place for it, 
although it is entitled to rank high as a conservatory climber. 
Sound turfy loam and partly-decayed manure chopped up roughly, 
and incorporated together at the rate of three parts of the former to 
one of the latter, forma a most excellent compost, and a more suit- 
able mixture does not appear possible. A few bones broken up 
moderately will be of considerable service in maintaining the fertility 
of the soil, and if there are any available for that purpose they 
should be utilized. When it is necessary to use pots or boxes, let 
them be of a large size, for it will be difficult, if not impracticable, 
to repot them when trained to the roof ; but when growing in large 
pots they can, with the assistance of annual top-dressings, be kept 
in a most healthy condition. The drainage, which may consist of 
crocks or broken bricks, must in every case be sufficient to carry off 
the superfluous moisture within a reasonable time. 
Rosarians differ somewhat in their opinions as to the manner in 
which the Marechal should be pruned, and some go so far as to 
assert that it should be pruned in the most moderate manner only, 
whilst others contend that it may be pruned severely. It is an 
easy matter for any one practically acquainted with the matter to 
effect a reconciliation between the two extremes, for in the one case 
allusion is made to the long rods which healthy plants will produce, 
whilst in the other the lateral growth is referred to. In reality, this 
rose requires pruning in much the same manner as other strong- 
growing varieties, for the strong rods require to be simply shortened 
back to a moderate extent, whilst the lateral shoots must be cut 
back to the first or second bud ; and, in addition, all weak shoots 
