Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 January 1879 — Horticulture. [ARTICLE]

Horticulture.

The culture of flowers is the most interesting occupation in the world. Every day brings forth new pleasures, and the most experienced gardener will always find something new to wonder at and admire. We become weary of almost all our occupations and amusements, but who has evCfr heard anyone say that they were tired of flowers? Some people will ask you, “Of what use are flowers? ’’ What a desolate place would be a world without a flower I It would be a face without a smile—a feast without a welcome. One cannot look closely at the structure of a flower without loving it; they are the emblems and manifestations of God’s love to the creation, and they are means and ministrations of man’s love to his fellowcreatures, for they awaken in his mind a sense of the beautiful and good. Of all the flowers the rose is undoubtedly the most popular. For hundreds of years it has been regarded as the “ Queen of Flowers.” Of love the type, of beautv queen, We own the rose; but, by her side. In spotless purity serene, The lily stands, with modest pride. The Romans were at great expense to procure roses in winter; and, even in our own America, millions of buds are annually sold, at prices ranging from 10 to 50 cents per single bud. What can excel the delicate form and coloring of a Safrano bud, or the full-grown glory of a Jaqueminpt? For convenience, I will divide the roses into two classes—the ever-blooming or monthly, and hardy roses. Tea roses (so called on account of their odor) are perhaps the most beautiful of all roses. Their cliief beauty lies in their half-opened buds. Bourbon roses are very free bloomers. Noisette roses are all climbers. AH the foregoing are tender, and will need to be well-protected during- the winter. Hybrid perpetual roses are about as hardy as apple-trees, producing magnificent double flowers in June, and at intervals afterward during the season. Moss roses are quite hardy. The buds are enveloped n a mossy covering—hence the name. To grow and bloom roses in winter, they must be planted in clean pots with good rich soil, mellow and friable. That made from old decomposed sods mixed with old thoroughly-rot-ten manure is best; fresh manure is very injurious. They should have regular heat and moderate, moisture. The leaves should be clean and bright; sprinkle them frequently with warm water; dust is injurious to the health of roses. If troubled with earth worms, water occasionally with weak lime water. Mildew may be destroyed by dusting plants with flour of sulphur; smoke them for green fly. Tea roses are best for blooming in winter; Bon Silene and Safrano being the very best, while Isabella, Sprunt, Hermosa, and manv others, will give satisfaction. If roses have been received by mail, and. on opening the box, they are found to be the least dry, it is well to soak both roots and topsjin warm (not hot) water for about twenty minutes. Then proceed to pot them, using pots which will be but barely sufficient to contain the roots without crowding, and press the soil firmly in the pot with thumbs and fingers. Now water them, and set in the shade for a few days. After this care must be used that they are not over-watered; they must not be allowed to go quite dry, nor yet kept constantly soaked with water. If saucers are placed under the pots, they should be emptied when water accumulates in them, for plants, like persons, will not be healthy if their feet are constantly wet. ' Rennie. Hinsdale. »upage county, 111. Box 101.