30 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 



rectangular beds, allowing either two or three rows spaced 

 eighteen inches apart. This permits case in cutting and culti- 

 vating the roses without treading on the beds. Before any 

 roses arc planted the beds should be trenched to a depth of 

 at least eighteen inches and a liberal quantity of cow- or 

 stable-manure spaded under. In order to sweeten the soil 

 and render available much of the plant food a coat of lime 

 should be added before replacing the top soil. If the rose 

 beds are in a soggy or wet location drainage should be pro- 

 vided by placing a layer of broken stone or drain tile at a 

 depth or two and one-half feet. The beds should be allowed 

 to settle before setting the plants. 



Kind of Stack-. — Roses may be either grown on their own 

 roots or budded on some other stock', opinions differing as to 

 which method gives the besl results. Budded stock is easily 

 affected by severe winters, while if the stock grown on its own 

 roots is injured, any shoot arising from the roots will still 

 be true to type. However, if budded plants are set sufficiently 

 deep, some roots will eventually be produced above the bud 

 and save the plants from loss. The harmful effect of the stock 

 suckering is not nearly so serious as one is often led to believe. 

 True, suckers will appear occasionally, but if the point of 

 union between stock and scion is placed at least two inches 

 beneath the surface when planting, very l'ew suckers will 

 appear and such as do will be recognized readily by their 

 vigorous growth, thorny stems, and seven or more leaflets 

 instead of five. Some varieties do better on their own roots, 

 while others cannot be grown unless budded on some strong- 

 rooted stock. 



Roses may be obtained in various sizes either as growing pot 

 plants or in dormant condition. Plate 15 shows what can be 

 expected. With a small outlay one can secure quite a quantity 

 and variety of small plants in 2\0- and 3-inch pots which in 

 a few years will give the desired effect. On account of the 

 shallow roots an abundant supply of moisture must always 

 be provided, especially during dry periods. Such plants also 

 need much protection to carry them through a severe winter. 

 The larger plants, supplied in 4-inch pots, have a larger root 

 system and when planted out will continue growing and <rive 

 fair results the first year. For immediate effects, however, 

 nothing equals the heavy dormant field-grown plants supplied 

 by most, nurserymen in early spring. It is advisable to order 

 dormant roses early, for as the season advances the rose firms 

 must pot their stock, and express charges are then high on 



