A Book about Roses

longer period the moisture of nocturnal dews. But there is nothing like a mulching of farmyard manure.

Fading Roses should be removed from the tree, and preserved for the pot-pourri jar. The other flowers of the garden

perish, but

"Sweet Roses do not so:--

Of their sweet deaths are sweeter odours made."

August

is also a propitious month for budding; but if the weather is hot and the ground parched, it will be desirable to give the beds a good drenching with water "when the evening sun is low."

The cotton may be removed from the Briers budded in July; it should remain about a month or six weeks upon the stock.

Cuttings may be taken at the beginning of the month from the ripened shoots. These must be removed at the point from which they grow from the old wood, and a slip of this wood must be cut off with them, forming "a heel" in gardeners' phraseology. The cuttings, about 3 inches long, should be inserted to the depth of 1 inch, round the edge of a pot filled with a light rich soil of leaf-mould and loam, with an abundance of silver sand; and being well pressed round the roots, and well watered through the rose, should be put in a frame under a north wall until they have "callused." They should then be placed in bottom-heat under glass, and when rooted should be dignified with pots of their own, restored for a little while to heat, and then gradually inured to the air, grown on, and repotted.

September

brings us little to do, except to remove suckers and weeds, and to enjoy our second harvest of Roses. It is but the gleaning of the grapes, the echo of the chorus, the after-glow of the sun; but our happiness among the autumnal Roses is, I think, more intense than ever. We can appreciate them more calmly than when our eyes were dazzled by their overpowering splendour, our attention distracted by their infinite number, and our nervous system excited by the shows. And we cling to them more fondly-so soon to leave us!

To leave our gardens, but not our hearts. When, at the end of this month, the chill evenings come, and curtains are

drawn and bright fires glow, who is so happy as the Rosegrower, with the new catalogues before him? The likeness so faithfully painted from the life presents to him the original in all her grace and beauty; and over his glass of Larose, if he has one by him, he utters the loyal desire of his heart, "FLOREAT REGINA FLORUM!"

NAME.

DATE OF IN

TRODUCTION

APPENDIX No. II.

LIST OF EXHIBITION ROSES.

HYBRID PERPETUALS.