Seeing the request of Mrs. M., on page 43, February number, I give some points on roses; as I made them my hobby for many years. I have experimented, and noted down all I found worthy, being, moreover, under no obligations to florists. I can recommend as the best book I have "The Rose, by H. B. Ellwanger," on account of its catalogue of varieties. My best roses are first fifteen, as asked: Alfred Colomb, Annie Wood, Baroness Rothschild, Boieldieu, Charles Lefebre, Fisher Holmes, Crested Moss, Common Moss, Prolific Moss, Francois Michelon, General Jacqueminot, John Hopper, Madam Charles Wood, Madame Boll, Madame Zoetman, Marie Bauman, Marguerite de St. Amande, Pierre Noting, Paul Neyron, Maurice Bernardin, Xavier Olibo. Of climbers, I advise to keep away from at present, except a few prairies, like Baltimore Belle, Half Climbing, Princess Adelaide Moss, and Reine Marie Henriette if covered. I find the Clematis family by far the finest blooming climbers, and hardy, which none of the roses mentioned are, sufficiently to withstand 22- below freezing this year, except the Moss, Madam Zoetman, and B. Belle. All others are Remontant, or Hybrid Perpetual, and killed now to the ground or snow line.

But as they are to be pruned, it matters little; entirely different from climbers, which should not be cut much. If you try the Lanuginosa section of clematis, say Candida, you will not plant many climbers besides. Flamula will do, with Candida, for trial. Roses must be planted together in rich, clayish, well manured soil, dug at least two spades deep. I plant about two feet apart, have a splendid oval bed, shaded north and west, open east and partly south. I find it best to get own root plants, two years old, from open ground. Get the best plants. True to name is a very strong point; and care should be taken to know what one is to get before ordering. Hamilton, Ohio.