to think that life in the country was not so very much more sweet than that 
of painted pomp, when, engaged to a dinner-party and to enliven my 
scenery, I bought a Rose. Only a common Rose, one frem a hundred 
which a ragged girl was hawking in the streets—a Moss Rose-bud! But 
as I carried it in my coat, and gazed on it, and specially when, waking 
next morning, | saw it in my water-jug—saw it as I lay in my dingy bed- 
room, and heard the distant roar of Piccadilly instead of the thrush’s 
had sent to me a messenger, whom they knew I loved, to bid me ‘come 
home.’ . . . And I arose, reflecting; and though I had taken my lodgings 
and arranged my plans for three more days in London, I went home that 
morning with the Rosebud in my coat, and wandering in my garden at 
eventide, armed with a cigar in case I met an aphis, I exulted in my liber- 
ation from smuts and smells and in all the restful peace, and the fragrant 
beauty, which glowed round me.” 
Let no-one tell you rc Moss Roses are not “suited” for 
your locality. Nonsense! They will grow and flower any- 
where, by following a few simple rules. 
If you have room, plant. wide in the back-ground of your 
low-growing sorts. When the canes are long and matured, 
arch them over and “peg down” near the tips with a stout 
wire hooked at the end, or use a wooden stake and string. 
If space is limited, plant closer, then as each growth cycle 
matures thru the summer, cut back this growth to the third or 
fourth eye above the preceding growth, thus forcing the 
plant to “bush out.” Do not prune them again in the spring— 
like your hybrid teas; they bloom from the old wood,—you 
are cutting off the flowers to be. Prune in spring only to 
shape the plant for the space you have allotted to it. 
Moss Roses will respond to good soil, fertilizer and frequent 
watering, and will thrive in full sun or part shade, but you 
must encourage the growth of shorter flower stems, either thru 
“pegging or pruning as described herein. 
Moss Roses will make big plants, bloom lavishly and will 
reward your patience one hundred-fold. 
These darlings of the late nineteenth century have a dis- 
tinctive beauty, charm and rare fragrance which appeals to 
the heart of every true rose-lover. 
43 
