1872 . ] 
ROSES AND ROSE-CULTURE.-CHAPTER XIV. 
267 
propose to arrest the natural process, and work for improvement by artificial 
fertilisation. Just before the flower unfolds, open one side of the bud with a 
knife, and remove the stamens or male organs before they shed their pollen, 
taking care not to injure the pistils or ovaries ; then fertilise the pistils with 
the pollen of the stranger variety, which should be ready at hand. The operation 
completed, draw a light canvas bag over the flower, fastening it at the base to 
prevent the access of bees and other insects. The interior of the flower should 
be quite dry when fertilised, for moisture, whether in the shape of rain or dew, 
interferes materially with the success of the operation. 
In the second class the flowers are usually more double, and the practice 
differs slightly. Here we often have to remove petals as well as stamens before 
the pistils are accessible, but the after process is the same as that already 
described. This class would seem preferable to the former, because the flowers 
being more double, the offspring is likely to be of a higher order of beauty. 
When the petals decay, the canvas bag may be removed, and should 
the former adhere to the top of the fruits (hips), they should be carefully 
rubbed off with the finger and thumb. The berry-like hips gradually swell, 
and when ripe (in November) they may be gathered, and the seeds rub¬ 
bed out and sown at once. Looking to the end, the best plan is perhaps to sow 
them in a frame in a soil composed of loam, leaf-mould, and sand. In the spring 
many will germinate, although some will lie in the ground until the second year. 
Precautions must be taken against damage by mice during winter, and against 
mildew in spring and summer, the latter often proving very destructive to seedling 
roses when in a young state. Sulphur is the best remedy here, and the young 
plants should be frequently and plentifully dusted with it, whenever and where- 
ever mildew appears. 
The Bourbon, Chinese, and Tea-scented varieties, and some of the Hybrid 
Perpetuals, will bloom when only a few months old, but there is no advantage in 
this. It is difficult, if not impossible, to form a correct estimate of their value in 
this young state ; and it is better to remove all flower-buds the first year as soon 
as they form, by which plan good flowers are secured for the second year. 
Looking over a bed of seedling roses is a delightful occupation. Every 
flower is fresh and new, although few may possess that high degree of floral 
beauty which we are seeking to obtain. Some we pass by hastily, one in a 
hundred we may pause over, but probably not one in a thousand is superior to 
what we already have. But there is pleasure in marking the results of hybridis¬ 
ing, and in tracing the connection between parents and offspring, whereby we are 
enabled to build up theories for future use. Nature, while we walk with her, 
sometimes reveals to us glimpses of the unknown from out of her hidden and 
mysterious depths. As we discard this flower and that, because they do not 
realise our wishes, there is no feeling of disappointment; the finger of hope points 
onward; the future may reveal something which shall exceed our most sanguine 
expectations. With what complacency we work. How much of hope and joy 
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