August 28. 
COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION, 
38g 
by a glutinous secretion to adjoining substances, as had 
been asserted. He also exhibited specimens of both 
sexes of the Saturnia Cynthia, received from Major 
Jenkins, the species which produces the Eria silk, 
famous throughout India, and for the cultivation of 
which article specimens said to be of this species had 
been imported into Malta and the South of Europe, 
together with specimens of both sexes of the insects 
reared in Malta, received from Dr. Templeton. Dr. Bois- 
duval had recently described the individuals reared in the 
South of Europe as a distinct species, under the name 
of S. Ricini, but Mr. Westwood thought there were not 
sufficient reasons for such a step, and argued—from the 
known modifications which occur in the races of the 
common Silk Moth, as well as in the Saturnia Paphia 
(which produces the Tusseh silk of India), and, in fact, 
from the analogy of domesticated animals in general— 
that if the progeny of a single pair of S. Cynthia were 
widely distributed, and treated differently, in three or 
four generations as much difference would be per¬ 
ceptible among them as between these two so-called 
species. 
A FEW WORDS ABOUT ROSE CULTURE. 
Four things, at least, are absolutely essential in high 
Rose culture :—a rich and deep soil; judicious pruning; 
freedom from Insects ; and uatering when requisite. If 
any one of these are allowed to be wrong, the success 
will be in proportion incomplete. 
Soil, of course, is of the utmost importance; indeed, 
unless this be of a generous character, all other appli¬ 
ances will be rendered nugatory. What is termed a 
sound loam they all delight in; but it may be used in 
varying proportions in the compost, according to the 
class or kind it is required for. I am of opinion, that 
the arguments which I have always used for Pears on 
the Quince Stock apply equally here: the soil should be 
adapted to the stock rather than the scion, or kind 
worked on it. The common, or Dog Rose stock, is known 
to thrive best in strong, loamy soils; and we have 
thousands around us here luxuriating in a soil within 
a few grades of a real clay. It is, indeed, on such soils, 
and in half-shaded situations, by the side of pits con¬ 
taining water constantly, that I have known them make 
the most luxuriant shoots—not unfrequeutly, ten or 
twelve feet in a season. Here, of course, there is no 
manure; simply organic matter; and if it be wondered 
at that cultivated Roses require so much manure, the 
answer may be found in the fact that they have more 
hard work to do ; their amount of blossom, if weight 
might be suffered as a test, would, in most cases, doubly 
and trebly exceed that of the Dog Rose ; added to which, 
they have less foliage. 
Roses on their own roots require that the soil be 
modified according to kind; that is to say, we should 
not uso so adhesive a soil to a Tea or Bourbon Rose 
as to ordinary kinds. Whatever loam be used, it is well 
that it contains as much organic matter as possible. 
Depth of soil is of great importance to all kinds: it is 
the deeper series of fibres, situated in a proper medium, 
that sustains a good succession of flowers, in defiance 
of heat and drought. 
Judicious pruning is of eminent service; by this the 
operator is enabled to reduce the extravagant growths of 
over-rampant kinds, and to increase the energies of 
those which are of a more delicate constitution. By it, 
also, the trees or bushes are relieved of superfluous 
I shoots and useless wood, which otherwise would crowd 
! up the interior; the whole outline, too, is reduced an¬ 
nually to a compact or consistent form. 
We come, now, to the third consideration, viz., freedom 
/tom insects. W lio could ever thoroughly enjoy and admire 
a Rose-tree clogged with Aphides? or what lady would 
select such for her bouquet ? But this is not all; the con¬ 
stitution of the tree becomes seriously injured, and its 
energies as to the future year considerably narrowed by 
their ravages. As to the destruction of this numerous 
family, it can but proceed upon the same basis as that 
I have ever insisted upon for the Peach and Nectarine, 
viz., to proceed against them betimes; indeed, may we 
not say the same as to all garden depredators? We 
all know that tobacco will destroy them, but it is some¬ 
what costly, when used to any extent. I happened to 
call on a gardener of long practice in his profession, 
this summer, and could but admire the perfect clean¬ 
liness of his Roses. I, of course, “ compared notes,” 
as to the means employed, and was rather surprised, on 
being informed that he used nothing but clear water, 
which, he said, he bathed them with mostly, twice a-day, 
by means of a barrow-engine. His Roses were, cer¬ 
tainly, unsullied by insects, and he appeared a man of 
veracity and observation. But here, again, the labour 
question comes into view—one hour in the morning, and 
another in the evening, for two or three weeks during 
the busiest period of the year, will be of more value, 
possibly, than the tobacco, which completes the affair at 
one application, if well done. 
The last main point I adverted to — was watering 
when requisite. Not a few of the evils which beset the 
Roses are traceable to the sufferings they undergo in 
hot and dry periods, if neglected in this respect. I am 
of opinion that that sad pest, the Rose fungus, that 
rusty spot, which sometimes so disfigures the foliage, is 
much increased, if not originated, through drought. 
Most of these fungi revel on the remains of vegetables, 
in a sickly, fading, or decomposing condition. The 
Rose-leaf, if ill supported by the ascending sap, through 
lack of moisture, assumes, of course, a faded condition; 
and, indeed, the first stage of decay may be said to have 
already commenced. But the gross vegetation of the 
Dog Rose escapes it. 
Before quitting this subject, I must beg to offer some 
remarks on Rose-stocks, cuttings, &c. I am not in a 
position to offer extensive experience as to the com¬ 
parative value of the Dog Rose, and the Manetti stocks ; 
these two being, at present, the chief competitors for 
the honour of carrying on noble and high-born Roses; 
all I can say at present is, no Manettis for me ; they 
produce too many suckers. But I wish to point to one 
error, as I conceive, in stock management. Everybody 
desires a good, strong stem to carry a large Rose head. 
Now, the question is, how to obtain it. I have seen 
budded Dog Rose stocks so strong as to support them¬ 
selves without staking. This is most desirable. We 
all know, that if we plant stocks in the autumn, or 
early spring, on good soil, that they produce, under pro¬ 
per conditions as to moisture, &c., not only branches 
at the head, but abundance of side branches. I be¬ 
lieve it is a common practice to strip these clear away. 
Now, if instead of cutting them clear away, they were 
merely pinched back to a couple of eyes in June, they 
would have the means of giving strength and con¬ 
sistency to the stem. And if these snags, or spurs, were 
left on them through a second season, and taken away 
progressively duving the summer, beginning at the bot¬ 
tom, and finishing this stem-stripping process by the 
beginning of August, I am prepared to contend, that 
the stems would be double the strength of those totally 
stripped at once, as is too often the case. 
I spoke of propagation by cuttings, and we all know 
that they may be struck at various periods through the 
