222 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
One more suggestion, and I have done. Such grounds as these would re¬ 
quire a building of some size for the purposes of shelter and refreshment, and 
to this end I would raise a platform of ground in the centre of the place, and 
upon it erect an elegant rustic pavilion, placing a wire fence round it and in¬ 
troducing masses of flowers. The view of the whole would, we think, be 
charming from this spot; and we think those who have pursued the merry and 
festive dance, enjoyed the quiet seat, or drunk the exhilarating champagne, 
would encore our sentiments. 
In writing these remarks we have made reference to the beautiful Pinetum 
of the late Lady Grenville at Dropmore; and we feel that we cannot forbear 
mentioning that of the late Lord Harrington, at Elvaston Castle in Derbyshire. 
Certainly there are here some splendid specimens, which have been made by the 
skill and industry of his lordship’s talented gardener, Mr. Barron. We had 
the honour of seeing this place a few years ago by the late Earl’s kind 
permission; but we cannot attempt to describe it, it is so uncommon and 
wonderful. 
Amersham. Henry Bailey, C.M.R.H.S. 
WINTER PROPAGATION OF ROSES. 
During the months of October and November it is usual with most Rose- 
growers to shorten many of the long shoots of standard Roses, for the purpose 
of preventing them being broken by the snow and high winds. This plan is 
very desirable. I now wish to show your readers that some use can be made 
of the wood that is cut away, and which generally goes to the rubbish-heap. 
I have, during the last few winters, endeavoured to find out the best method 
of raising plants from these strong shoots, and will explain my most successful 
method. Choose any sheltered out-of-the-way spot in the garden; if the soil 
is tenacious, have a little sand dug in. Cut the Rose shoots into lengths of 
four eyes ; take all the leaves off except the top one ; then insert the cuttings 
firmly in the ground, so as to leave out only the top leaf and bud. Three eyes 
will then be imbedded in the soil, which must be trod hard and firm. No 
covering of any kind will be required, nor will the cuttings want any notice to 
be taken of them during the winter, unless the frost and worms should have 
loosened the soil, then it should be made firm again. About April the operator 
will find that nearly all the cuttings will show signs of growth; but he must 
not be disappointed to find the greater portion go off, as only a small per¬ 
centage of the number will root; consequently the cuttings should be inserted 
very thickly in the bed, or much ground will be wasted, as it will not be 
advisable to disturb the rooted ones until the following autumn. Last winter 
I put in about a thousand cuttings, and at the time I write there are about a 
hundred fine plants in the bed, many of them in nice bloom, and from 1 to 
3 feet high. These I shall shortly remove to their proper quarters. One 
advantage to be derived from this mode of propagation is, that you obtain 
much stronger plants on their own roots than you can from any other mode 
that I am acquainted with; added to which, all the plants that are so raised 
are obtained at little or no cost, as the wood would have been thrown away; 
while thousands of cuttings can be inserted in a few square yards of ground, 
and but a small portion of time expended in the operation. I have found that 
some varieties are almost certain to root, w T hile others will entirely fail. Among 
the former Jules Margottin, Duchess of Orleans, La Reine, Auguste Mie, and 
General Jacqueminot, are all useful kinds. 
If some method could be discovered by which all the varieties could be 
