July  4,  1901. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER , 
7 
He  Time  of  Hoses. 
These  queens  of  all  flowers  are  now  in  the  zenith  of  their  season 
and  their  beauty,  aDd  who,  even  among  the  poorest  population,  is  there 
that  are  denied  the  privilege  of  enjoying  their  rich  and  varied  colours 
and  exquisite  perfume?  The  classes  are  well  supplied  from  their  own 
or  their  neighbours’  gardens,  the  masses  can  see  them  in  the  public 
parks  if  not  in  their  own  gardens,  where  they  are  produced  for  their 
edification.  The  (orthcoming  National  Rose  Show  will  be  eagerly 
sought  by  growers  and  enthusiasts  from  far  and  near;  rivals  will  meet 
together  in  friendly  unity,  and  put  forward  the  best  effort  possible  in 
obtaining  coveted  distinctions  and  honourable  encomiums.  The  merits, 
too,  of  new  and  old  will  be  discussed,  together  with  the  effects  of  the 
season  on  tl  eir  favourite  flower  or  paiticular  kind. 
From  a  garden  point  of  view  the  wealth  of  blossom  has  been 
almost  phenomenal,  and  almost  every  kind  seems  to  vie  one  with 
another  in  the  prolusion  of  display. 
Tea  and  Noisette  H.P.’s,  Hybrid  Teas, 
Ramblers  of  different  kinds,  China, 
and  Moss  all  seem  to  put  forward  the 
one  great  effort  to  outdo  each  other. 
Taking  into  account  the  nature  of  the 
season,  its  drought,  and  the  cold  winds 
of  the  spring,  such  a  satisfactory 
display  of  blossoms  is  almost  beyond 
what  the  most  sanguine  grower  could 
have  expected.  Insects,  too,  have 
asserted  themselves  manifestly  in  the 
curled  leafage,  and  aphis-infested  buds 
and  tips.  For  them  the  weather  has  been 
most  favourable,  and  evidently  they 
did  not  lose  any  opportunity  of  attack 
which  circumstances  provided.  Quassia 
solutions,  and  a  spray  pump,  deal 
quickly  and  effectively  with  the  aphis 
tribe ;  the  bitterness  of  the  quassia  is 
long-  asting  when  applied  to  foliage. 
An  “  Abol  syringe  ”  is  a  good  and 
handy  implement  tor  small  growers,  and 
is  most  economical  in  the  distribution 
of  insecticides. 
Pergolas  are  becoming  a  universal 
means  of  adorning  lawns  and  pleasure 
grounds,  stone-built  pilRrs,  oak  posts, 
or  iron  supports,  each  finding  favour 
according  to  the  dictum  of  individual 
fancies.  Stone  provides  the  best  and 
most  lasting,  but  their  adoption  must 
be  governed  by  the  nature  and  extent 
of  surroui  dings.  In  a  small  garden 
their  employment  would  scarcely  be  advised,  because  it  would  be 
too  heavy  and  out  of  keeping.  Iron  is  undoubtedly  the  better 
means  of  ornamenting  the  small  garden  with  overhead  arches,  Oak, 
Fir,  or  Yew  poles  aivmg  similar  and  more  pleasing  arrangements  for 
the  growth  of  trailing  flowers  in  other  gardens.  A  tripod  of  poles,  not 
too  neatly  trimmed,  arranged  in  round  beds  on  the  margins  of 
shrubbery  borders,  have  produced  most  beautiful  features  covered  with 
the  Rambler  or  other  strong  growing  Ruses,  and  this  phase  might 
well  be  extended  further  afield.  We  recently  saw  a  wonderful  growth 
of  the  Longworth  Ran. bier  clambering  round  the  bole  of  a  tall 
deciduous  tree,  and  which  must,  indeed,  when  in  full  bloom,  present 
an  enviable  picture.  With  so  many  torms  of  the  rambling  section, 
including  the  redoubtable  crimson  variety,  Aglaia,  the  so-called 
yellow  Rimbler,  and  Thalia,  white,  there  is  a  trio  that  will  give 
contrasting  pictures.  Add  to  these  the  climbing  Perie  des  Jardins, 
W.  A.  Richardson,  Reine  Olsa  de  Wuitemburg,  Paul’s  Single  White, 
L’Ideal,  Globe  cie  Dijon,  Madame  C.  Mention,  R6ve  d’Or,  Allister 
Stella  Gray,  Cheshunt  Hybiid,  and  Celine  Forestier,  and  there  should 
be  plenty  of  colour  to  brighten  up  the  most  sombre  of  tree  greenery, 
which  characterise  the  lawns  and  shrubberies  at  some  period  of  the 
summer.  A  very  pleabing  arrangement  is  made  up  of  standards 
as  dot  plants  to  a  carpet  of  Crimson  Rambler,  the  latter  having 
the  strong  shoots  pegged  down.  The  lateral  flowering  spray  rising 
from  the-e  low-laid  shoots  makes  a  cushion  of  the  rarest  colour  and 
effect.  Viewed  from  a  foreground  of  shrubs  and  trees,  these  crimson 
Roses  are  most  effective.  Summer  houses  and  Rose  temples  entwined 
in  these  gorgeous  dresses  light  up  the  distant  landscape,  and  the"many 
and  varied  forms  of  training  to  which  they  are  adapted ’makes  them 
favourites  with  everyone. 
Sweet  Briers,  including  the  many  beautiful  hybrids  raised  by  the 
late  Lord  Penzance,  are  welcome  both  for  their  bewitching  fragrance 
as  well  as  their  delightful  colours,  now  so  varied.  Hedges  of  these  are 
very  fine,  and  may  be  made  to  serve  in  small  gardens  the  dividing 
line  between  the  lawn  and  garden,  or  to  shut  out  an  unsightly  object. 
Their  contiguity  to  the  house  is  much  to  be  desired,  where  in  the 
summer  evening  their  fragrance  permeate  the  dwelling  rooms  through 
open  windows.  There  is  great  refreshment  obtained  from  the  Sweet  Brier 
when,  after  slight  rain  or  heavy  dew,  the  scent  is  given  off  so  freely. 
The  great  wealth  of  Roses  this  season  is  due  in  a  large  measure 
no  doubt  to  two  reasons — first,  the  tropical  nature  of  last  summer 
thoroughly  ripening  up  the  growth;  and  next,  the  absence  of  severe 
frost  in  winter  and  spring  to  damage  the  wood  and  tender  growth 
following  the  pruning.  With  these  conditions  remembered,  the 
prospect  of  the  current  show  time  ought  to  be  of  the  best,  and  it  will 
be  interesting  to  note  the  position  taken  by  the  great  champions' in 
the  coming  contests.  Not  only  will  these  events  be  watched  with 
keen  interest  by  the  exhibitors,  but  by  all  Rose  lovers,  or  at  any  rate 
by  the  great  army  of  gardeners  and  others  who  get  reports  in  their 
weekly  paper. 
The  value  of  mulching  is  fully  demonstrated  this  summer,  since, 
for  so  long  a  period,  the  rainfall  has 
been  deficient.  Plants,  even  those 
planted  in  the  autumn,  show  much 
activity  of  growth  under  a  mulch, 
wood  and  growth.  Without  this 
soil  covering  the  trees,  many  of  them 
that  are  recently  planted,  show  the 
ill  effects  of  the  drought.  Trailers 
planted  in  hot  positions  where  mulch¬ 
ing  is  not  allowed  must  have  plenty 
of  water  given  them  to  maintain  a 
healthy  balance,  otherwise  they  give 
indifferent  returns  another  year. 
Artificial  watering,  all  the  same,  is 
not  nearly  so  stimulating  as  rain 
showers,  nor  is  growth  in  new  plan¬ 
tations  so  free  as  when  there  is 
occasional  rain.  The  prolonged  drought 
has  served  one  useful  purpose,  at  least 
in  holding  soils,  and  that  is  in  keeping 
down  weeds  by  hoeing.  The  latter 
does  an  infinite  amount  of  good  when 
it  can  be  frequently  carried  out,  and 
weed  robbers  are  nipped  in  the  bud 
of  their  existence  thereby.  Those 
growers  who  are  blessed  with  an 
unlimited  supply  of  natural  liquid 
manures  have  been  able  to  place  it  to 
good  advantage  of  late. — W.  S. 
Bueh  Roses. 
Rosa  sericea.  (See  page  9.) 
Bush  R  ses  are  perhaps  the  easiest 
of  all  forms  to  grow,  a  number  of 
plants  occupying  but  little  room.  They 
may  be  grown  of  limited  size,  with  but  a  few  stems,  so  as  to  produce 
strong  growths  and  bold  flowers  for  exhibition  purposes;  but,  however, 
the  plants  when  growing  for  this  purpose  ought  not  to  be  grown  80 
closely  together.  Light  and  air  are  necessary  each  year  to  build  up 
and  solidify  the  growth  which  is  to  produce  flowers  the  following 
sea-on.  Dwarf  bush  Roses  pay  for  growing  in  well-prepared  soil, 
hence  each  year  when  forming  a  new  bed  or  giving  up  a  plot  °f 
ground  lor  Rose-growing,  it  is  not  sufficient  to  just  move  the  surface 
and  plant,  but  it  is  necessary  to  deeply  trench  and  well  manure  with 
well  rotted  cow  or  pig  dung  for  light  soil,  and  decomposed  horse 
manure  for  heavy  soil.  Although  manure  is  important  as  a  means 
of  enriching  the  rooting  material,  it  should  be  well  incorporated  with 
the  staple  soil,  as  roots  not  established  coming  in  contact  with  crude 
manure  are  liable  to  be  somewhat  injured  by  it;  this  should,  therefore, 
be  avoided.  The  present  is  not  the  time  for  planting,  but  it  is  not 
too  soon  to  prepare  the  soil,  at  least  a  commencement  may  be  ma  e 
where  the  ground  is  foul  and  needs  careful  trenching  in  order  to 
improve  its  condition.  Success  in  this  lorm  of  Rose-growing,  as  in 
others,  depends  largely  on  the  thorough  preparation  afforded  before 
the  planting  is  carried  out.  A  hint  thus  early  given  may  be  of 
service,  for  the  ground  is  all  the  better  for  being  broken  up  and  the 
enriching  materials  incorporated  some  time  prior  to  the  autumn,  when 
the  planting  is  done.  .  ,. 
In  all  cases  trenching  is  the  best  method  of  procedure,  especially 
when  grass,  weeds,  &c.,  require  to  be  got  rid  of.  Such  material  as  this 
may  be  pared  off  and  buried  in  the  bottom  of  the  trench.  1  his  tar  y 
preparation  gives  the  ground  time  to  consolidate,  and  the  tertihsing 
