32 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 



or crowding the roots, and the soil should be firmed and 

 watered thoroughly after planting. 



Dormant stock should, at the time of planting, bo pruned to 

 three or four buds to each shoot. Pot plants in leaf require 

 very little pinching. 



Fertilizers. — Without doubt, cow manure is the best ferti- 

 lizer for roses, it being applied either in liquid form or as a 

 sninmer mulch. If the liquid is used, about a third of a 

 bushel (if manure should be mixed with a barrel of water and 

 applications given once or twice a week. Well-rotted horse 

 manure is also a good fertilizer. When these are not avail- 

 able bone meal or sheep manure may be used, but should not 

 be applied in as large quantities. 



Spring and Summer Care. — After danger of heavy frost is 

 past the coarse mulch should be removed and the finer portion 

 worked into the soil with the first cultivation. As the flower 

 ing season approaches, liquid manure, diluted to the color of 

 weak tea, should be applied once a week, about one-half gallon 

 to each plant. During the growing season the surface soil 

 should be frequently stirred. Roses require an abundance 

 of water and during dry periods the beds should be given 

 a thorough soaking once or twice a week, a light sprinkling 

 every evening doing more harm than good. To conserve 

 moisture and protect the roots during the extreme heat of 

 July and August, a two- or three-inch mulch of some coarse 

 material (strawy manure, grass clippings, or sphagnum moss) 

 should be applied to the beds. 



Diseases and Insects. — Mildew (pi. 16, fig. 1) is the com- 

 monest fungous disease in this locality, it is recognized by 

 the gray or white patches on the leaves ami young shoots and 

 the crinkled appearance of the foliage. It may appear at any 

 time during the growing season, cool and moist atmospheric 

 conditions favoring it. A mixture of nine parts of sulphur 

 and one part arsenate of lead dusted on the plants when 

 covered with dew will usually check this disease. Bordeaux 

 mixture is also frequently recommended, but it is unsightly. 



The aphis or green fly (pi. 16, fig. 2) is the most, serious 

 insect enemy of the rose. It is a small sucking insect about 

 Mo inch in length when full grown, frequently gathering 

 in large numbers on tender shoots and about the base <>!' 

 flower buds. Some nicotine preparation, which can be pur- 

 chased at the seed stores under various trade names, will kill 

 these insects. Tobacco water made by steeping tobacco stems 

 in hot water until it has the color of strong tea, may also 

 be used. These solutions may be applied either with a whisk 



