THE GARDENING WORLD 
633 
IN THE GARDEN OF 
- ROSES - 
OCTOBER. 
^ ''S' 
October 3, 1908. 
ie m open fully, but we think they look 
, handsome in their beautiful cup or 
rn-shaped forms, even when they do not 
>en under our cloudy skies and the low 
•mperature which often prevails in 
iring. Messrs. Dickson, Brown and 
Hit Corporation Street, Manchester, 
me’ kindly placed the illustration at 
jr disposal. 
-4~M>- 
- Floral Clock - 
At Edinburgh. 
We often have constructed for us, by 
ine or other writer, floral clocks consist- 
n g of wild flowers which indicate, or 
iretend to mdicatt, time of day b) 
heir opening and closing. ^ . fortunately 
or these clocks, they are liable to be out 
,f order when the sun does not act pro- 
lerly, or, again, late in the season when 
he temperature is falling and the light 
raning they do not act up to their re- 
lutation. Another thing is that these 
lowers are so scattered about in various 
>arts of the country that it would require 
i considerable effort of gardening skill 
0 grow them all together in one spot 
vith the object of indicating the time of 
lay. 
the floral clock at Edinburgh gets 
iver all these difficulties, but it is quite 
,f a different kind, and although it keeps 
iccurate time, the flowers with which the 
race and hands are planted make no 
iretence at indicating the time. The 
flock is a properly constructed mstru- 
nent kept going and regulated by 
nachinery that is hidden in a house close 
iv, or, in any case, below the ground and 
iut of sight. The face of the clock con¬ 
sists of a circular flower bed situated on 
1 slope at one end of West Princes 
Street Gardens. The plants employed 
ire much the same as those employed in 
:arpet bedding, being of dwarf habit and 
aeat, so that they are easily kept within 
their allotted compass. 
The figures indicating the time of day 
m the dial would be planted with such 
subjects as Echeveria secunda glauca, 
Golden Feather, Lobelia, Alternanthera 
and other plants of that class. Even 
the long iron hands of the clock are 
so made that they hold a small quantity 
lof soil, and in this soil plants are grown 
just as on the dial. The soil and plants 
are carried round on the hands of the 
clock as the machinery moves them. 
Although thus constructed in orna¬ 
mental form, it is not a toy clock, but 
ican be depended upon to indicate the 
|correct time. The machinery, of course, 
jis capable of being regulated just the 
( same as the machinery of other clocks. 
Mr. J. W. McFfattie/ gardener to the 
City Fathers, gets the credit of having 
constructed this clock, as everyone 
speaks of McHattie’s clock. 
Incidental to time-keeping, we may 
state that Edinburgh time is identical 
with that of Greenwich, being regulated 
from Greenwich every day by the firing 
of a cannon from the parapets of the 
Castle Grounds at one o'clock preciselv. 
The clock has been in this position for 
a good many years, but as there are 
always fresh visitors to Edinburgh there 
is generally a crowd of these visitors in¬ 
tently watching the movements of the 
hands of the clock. 
This month rosarians celebrate 
A New Year’s work begun, 
And may they reap a rich reward 
As time its course shall run. 
Preparing, planning, planting, we 
In hope now spend our hours 
Assured in due course we shall have 
A wealth of glorious flowers. 
BayntoN-TaylOR. 
October begins an exceedingly busy 
time. Catalogues pour in and remind 
us that now is the time to give our orders. 
Those who order early deservedly obtain 
the choicest plants. I make it a rule to 
give my order now whilst I can look 
round the nurseries and see the style 
and characteristics of the plants, which 
the sellers are only too glad to reserve 
for deliver} 7 as and when I want them. 
This is a means of ensuring success as 
regards getting the right plants. As a 
rule the buyer leaves everything to the 
last moment, which causes a needless 
rush for the seller, and, may be, he gets 
poor specimens or has to put up with 
substitutes, the kinds he wanted being 
sold out. 
New Beds. 
These must be prepared as early as 
possible, so that they may settle and 
mellow by the time planting begins. 
Above all, remember that good drainage 
and a depth of at least two feet of good 
unctuous loam are vitally essential if 
you want your Roses to thrive and do 
you credit. 
Old Beds. 
Old beds must now be seen to, well 
loosened by inserting a fork so as not to 
disturb roots, well and constantly hoed, 
cleared of stones, weeds, and rubbish, 
and generally put in order. 
Plantings. 
New Roses are not planted until 
November, but old established plants 
may be moved now if necessary. Choose 
a day when the ground is moist after 
heavy rain (not slushy), dig a hole to 
receive your plants, then lift them care¬ 
fully, so as to re.tain a ball of earth 
round the roots. Carefully put them in 
their place, tread firmly, and, unless it 
is raining, water and syringe freely. In 
this way growth will not be checked. I 
have often done this in the summer and 
found no harm result. 
Pot Roses. 
For growing under glass pot Roses 
must now be repotted, and new ones pur¬ 
chased if required. Many of,the free- 
blooming Teas full of buds will open 
them well at a time when they will be 
greatly appreciated, if the plants are 
now moved indoors. But be careful not 
to give them too much heat when the 
supply of daylight is small. Marechal 
Niel and other tender Roses may now be 
planted under glass. 
The Floral Clock at Edinburgh. 
