48 
A FEW FLOWERS 
devoted to roses is too limited for the diversity of forms in which 
the rose may be grown, what form do you consider the best? 
There can be no debate, no doubt, in replying : The most 
attractive, abundant and abiding system upon which you can 
grow roses is to plant them in beds, upon their own roots, or 
budded upon dwarf stocks, and then treat them thus : Plant 
dormant plants in November or pot-grown ones in the spring, 
and in the following summer promote all possible growth. In 
the ensuing spring, the long, strong shoots, only shortened four 
or five inches (all weakly produce being excised) must be very 
gently and gradually bent down to earth and secured with thick 
wooden hooks, cut from the trees and hedgerows, two or three 
to each lateral branch. These branches will not only flower 
early and late, but, if well treated, will make robust wood in 
the summer and autumn, which (the older branches being 
removed) will be pegged down the following spring ; and so 
we shall have annually a continuous renovation. It is difficult 
to deflect some of sturdy growth, such as the Baroness Roths¬ 
child ; but he will touch tenderly who loves truly, and his un¬ 
happy fractures will be few. In two years these beds will be 
densely covered with flowers and foliage, and the contrasted 
beauty of La France and l.efebre, Marie Finger and Marie 
Beauman, the Duchess of Vallambrosa and Louis Van Houtte, 
Madame Lacharme and Xavier Olibo, will dazzle the eye and 
bewilder the brain of the fondest of all lovers — of him who 
loves the rose. **** **** 
“ He who would have beautiful roses in his garden must have beautiful roses in his heart. He must love them well 
and always. To win he must woo, as Jacob wooed Laban’s daughter, though drought and frost consume. He must have 
not only the glowing admiration, the enthusiasm, and the passion, but the tenderness, the thoughtfulness, the reverence, the 
watchfulness of love. 
“ With no ephemeral caprice like the fair young knight’s, who loves and who rides away when his sudden fire is gone 
from the cold white ashes, the cavalier of the rose has semper ftdelis upon his crest and shield. He is loyal and devoted 
ever, in storm-fraught or in sunny days ; not only the first upon a summer's morning to gaze admiringly on glowing charms, 
but first, when leaves fall and winds are chill, to protect against cruel frost. 
“ As with smitten bachelor or steadfast mate the lady of his love is lovely ever, so to the tme rose-grower must the rose 
tree be always a thing of beauty. To others, when its flowers have faded, it may be worthless as a hedgerow thorn ; to 
him in every phase it is precious. I am no more the rose, it says, but cherish me, for we have dwelt together ; and the 
glory which has been and the glory which shall be never fade from his heart.” 
CLIMBING ROSE, ISOLATED ON GRASS. 
