THE CULTIVATION OF ROSES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 8

THE CULTIVATION OF ROSES.

(Tuapeka Times.)

Mr J. J. Woods, by request of the Lawrence Horticultural Society, gave *n address on the above subject in the council chambers on Friday evening last. The nighb, unfortunately, proved to be cold and wet, but nevertheless there waa a largo nLfcendance of members present;. Mr H. H. Leary, president of the society, presided.

Mr Woods, after referring to the honour dona him by the society, said he would proceed to gire them his experience on THE GHOWTH AND CULTIVATION OP THE HOSE.

He heed hardly tell them that the rose, by universal consent, is acknowledged to be the queen of flowers. The ideal soil for the perfect cultivation of the rose was a good, marly clay, (his giving a d.ectb. colour. And BU.bjfcwiao.6Q jibs.

petals that were not otherwiee obtainable. Any loamy soil well worked and palverised to a depth of from 18 to 24- inches would, however, prove suitable, and if th« soil was light a few loads of clay should be incorporated with it. The planting season extended from May to September 1, and ho recommended that roses bo planted below tho joint where budded, which would tend to throw oub shoots below the bud, encourage roots, and prevent north-west winds drying up the bark of the stock. The principal classes of roaeß were hjbrid perpstuals, teas, noisettes, and other hybrids. The proper pruning of these wa» the most important branch in rose-growing. Iv pruning hybrid perpetuals no h&rm could be done with the knife, while the contrary was the caso' in dealiug with teas and noisettes. Thinning and a slighb shortening ,of the shoots were all these' 1 required. If the roses were prnned at oae time etch ycs>r be thought July and August were the best months. Seme growers, however, recommended half in August and half iv October, but much depended on the time the main crop of blooms was required — i.e., fcr show purposes, -&c. Rcses on their own roots generally did well, March being the best moßth for pruning these, bub any time would do for this purpose fairly well. The cuttings from this class might be utilised to make EXCELLENT AND PICTOBESGUE GARDEN FENCES, and would well repay tho Blight trouble involved. He did not recommend the pruning of newly-planted rases till it wss. seen how much of the wood broke into buds.' Ladies were floriita by nature, as was exemplified by their taste for the simple and beautiful specimens, such as violets, mignonette, swee& peas, carnations, &c , but" their" preference was always given to a bouquet of roses, and especially so if

they were moss rose buds, Nature's true emblems of love in the floral world. To those who were without gardens and yet desired to get ona rose tree, he strongly recommended ns a trial the climbing Devoniengis. It wbb hardy, free growing, and accommodated itself to most soils and situations. It could be grown on a fence, outhouse, or the posts of a clothesline, so that all could avail themselves of the opportunity of growing and admiring that beautiful and prolific flower.

The greatest mistake made by amateurs was ia planting a miscellaneous rcae ted of teas and hybrid perpetuals and thereafter pruning all in the same fashion, planting, say, from 2ft to 3fi> apart, and then using the knife freely to all alike. This was injurious, if cot fatal at all limes, to roses of the tea and noisette classes for the reasons previously stated. Some of the more delicate roses required the protection of a north wall or fence, while others, again, only bloomed to perfection under glass. Suckers should on no account be tolerated, and when they appeared should be cleanly out close to the stock.

• rose pests, though not numerous, required early attention by those who wished to *cc their favourite flower arrive at perfection. In spiiog, when the growth started, the worm vrts in the bud and ready to attack it. The only remedy for this was diligent and regular hand-picking. As soon as green fly appeared, he recommended syriDging the plants with the following mixture : — 4-oz quassia chips boiled . lOmin in lgal of soft water, then strain, and when cooling 4oz soft scan to be dissolved therein ; add lgal or two of water and it would be strong enough.

Mildew was a vegetable pest, caused by sudden chills, cold, damp, and badly-ventilated atmospheres. He found that the fumes of sulphur had the effect of completely destroying the pest if properly applied and at the right time. The action of tulphur in the cure of mildew was due to the formation of sulphurous acid gas by the action of the oxygen of the atmosphere on the finely subdivided particle?, and as drynesa and heat were essential to the oxidisation of sulphur, it could bo readily understood how it was that" sulphur would not act curativelv in wet, cold weather. Dusting with flour of sulphur, applied with a fumigating bellows, was also efficacious. This remedy would cure all kinds of plants attacked by red spider or mildew.

BUDDINO was the usual method adopted for the propagation of roses, and while 'grafting was performed in the spring, budding was best done in the early autumn — January being the month for teas and Februsry for hybrid perpetuals. To perform the operation successfully the bud should be taken with half an inch of the bark above and below in the form of a shield, and in removing the wood from the bud care , should be taken not to injure the axis of the bud, otherwise the bud will be useless. In removing the wood the knife Bhould always be drawn upwards. In three weeks' time, if the bud has swollen, the binding should be undone and tied looser for a month or so. The bud would then lie dormant till spring, when the stock should bs cut off 3in or 4in above the bud, cutting off close to the stock the second year. T^B SECRETS OP THE SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITOR, if few, were most important, and he explained some of these for the benefit of intending exhibitors, tn a competition, say, for the best six blooms (varieties) it; was best to begin with 33 plants of six different exhibition roses, rather than procure 36 roses of different kinds, as the ordinary amateur usually did. Foliage should be used to set off the blooms in the stands, and the effect was improved by kftylpa % woaa jciQuud, oc Backlog fo ge& the.

blooms on. The proper harmony aud contrast; of colonr was another important; point, while freshly-plucked blooms were always preferable fer show purposes. Iv cutting roses for exhibition, their appearance when reaching the judge's eye should be calculated on, and, if any doubt exists, tbo?e under rather than fully blown should be selected. They should not forget to carry a (err spare blooms to Ihe show, as they might ba usefur as substitutes ' before finally staging. Iv dry situations the mulching of the rosebuds in rummer was of much aid. This might be performed with fresh manure spread on top oS the soil, which would keep the ground moist, and, at tha same time, nourish tho roots through the manuri&l properties being carried down with tho rain. If manure was uob available, he recommended a good layer of cut grass. This, while not so efnsftCtAus as manure, helped to retain th* moisture if watering was neceuary, and alto in dry situations kopt the soil moist and cool. Among th# many thousand varieties of roses it was a difficult task to name th« best, buk he thought the following Ifat of 12 hybrid peryetuals and 12 teas equal to any others grown, if not th« best :—

HYBRID PERPETUALS,

Victor Hugo— Brilliant crimson ; one of the most brilliaßt-colouieti flowers. Mrs John Laing — Pink ; very large and fragrant. Margaret Dickso — White ; pale flesh centre. Gustave Prganeau— Biilliant carmine lake ; „ equals Paeel Nerou in size. Took leading part iv rose ahowa in 189294. Ulrick Brunncr — Bright ceiise red. Jennie Dickson — Rosy pink; margin of petals edged silvery pink ; yellow rjoue at base ; a magnificent rose. Mrs Paul— Blush white ; rosy peach shading like a camellia. Dupuy Jamin— Brilliant ceriso. A K. Williams — Carmine red. Merville de Lyon — Pure white. Spencer — Satin red : outer petals shaded and reflexed white. Prince Arthur— Bich deep crimson.

TEA OR. NOISETTE.

The Bride— White ; sometimes tinged with rose. Marie Van Houtte— White ; tinged with yellow, edged with ro-<e. Souvenir d' if.lise Vsrden— Creamy white. Cathamo Mermet— Satin rose. Perle dcs Jardins— Straw colour ; orange centre. Niphetot— Palo lemon. L'ldehl — Yellow and metallic red ; streaked and tinted golden yellow —of indescribable beauty. Madam da Watteville— Salmon white ; bordered with rose like a tulip. Madam Lambard— Salmon pink :• shaded rose, Auna Olivier— Flesh-coloured rose. Ducha*s d'Auorstaedt ~- Bright yellow ; shaded naakeen at ths centre. Vicouatess Folkstone — Creamy pink ; centre salmon ; ons of the best new roses sent out.

At tho conclusion of the address a number of quesfciens were wked in reference to the subject, and Mr Woods very -kindly replied to them.

On the motion of Mr G. O. Taylor a hearty .vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Woods for his very interesting and practical lecture.

Mr Woods suitably acknowledged the compliment and the meeting terminated.