268 
THE LADIES’ MAGAZINE OF GARDENING. 
former kind, but partly also, I think, from the pleasure I experience in seeing 
the forms and colours of the flowers skilfully contrasted with each other. 
In the mixed flower-garden, also, I think we see the forms of the flowers 
more distinctly, and are better able to enjoy their individual beauties, if I 
may so speak, than when a great quantity of the same kind are thrown 
together in a mass. 
As I have had some experience in the cultivation of flowers, and (as 
you recommend) I am in the habit of gardening with my own hands, I 
trust you will not think me presuming if I say a few words on the 
manner in which I manage my flower-garden. I have my borders 
slightly raised, sloping to the walk ; and I plant the back with tall-grow¬ 
ing perennials, such as Lysimachia verticillata , French willow-herb, &c., 
mixing their colours according to my own fancy. In front of these I sow 
my annual flowers, and near the box-edging I plant my spring bulbs. I 
sow my annuals in March, taking care to place each in the soil and situa¬ 
tion which I have found from experience suits it best; and I tie up both 
the annuals and perennials when they are spreading out of bounds; by 
fixing stakes painted green, or pieces of hazel-twig with the bark on, 
round each plant, and twisting twine round the sticks so as to form a 
circle round the stems and leaves—thus keeping each plant in its proper 
place without the stiff appearance so often produced by tying. 
ON THE CULTURE OF ROSES. 
BY THE EDITOR. 
I have been so frequently asked to give some ideas on the culture of 
roses, that I have been induced to write a few pages on the subject; and 
in these I shall endeavour to lay before my readers a brief account of the 
directions given by the best modern florists on the management of the 
different kinds of roses. I say, of the different kinds, because, as one "who 
has attempted to grow roses must be aware, the different kinds require 
quite different treatment with regard to pruning, though all the kinds 
agree in thriving most in a rich soil, with their roots mulched,—that is, 
with half-rotten manure laid on the surface, round the stem of each plant, 
in spring. If thus treated, and kept frequently watered in dry weather, 
while they are in a growing state, and properly pruned according to their 
kinds, all sorts of roses will grow luxuriantly, and produce fine healthy 
flowers; which they never will do if the roots are driven down to the 
sub-soil by the dryness of the surface or any other cause. Roses are like 
