TWENTY FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING. 251 



dancing among the gods, upset a cup of nectar upon the rose, which 

 changed its color not only then but ever after. 



We find roses growing wild in our own country, from Maine to Cali- 

 fornia. They are scattered nearly all over the globe, but those of Persia, 

 Spain, China, and India are especially noted. Australia is said to be en- 

 tirely destitute of roses. 



Roses are divided into classes as China, Bourbon, Noisette, the 

 climbing varieties, hybrid perpetuals, hybrid teas, and we must not for- 

 get the Polyanthas, the babies of the rose family. 



These are again divided into two great classes, the hardy and the ten- 

 der, or, as some say, the June roses and the perpetuals. For my 

 part I greatly prefer the perpetuals. Last year we were not with- 

 out some roses from June till November, and I gathered quite 

 a number the day after Thanksgiving. But June is certainly "rose time," 

 and all rosedom is out in holiday apparel. Roses, white and black, pink, 

 scarlet, crimson, yellow, in clusters and solitary, moss, damask, Noisette, 

 perpetual, and China, the wild rose in the hedge-row, the sweet briar, 

 with its delicate pink blossoms and sweet-scented leaves, and all others, 

 hang in their beauty. Then one resolves that next year he will raise 

 some roses. 



All right, begin right away. The long winter evenings are just the time 

 to make a start. Send for some catalogues of florists that make a specialty 

 of rose-growing. Select your roses. Do not be induced to invest in too 

 many novelties, but select some varieties in the standard list, something 

 that has been tested and proven true. Make out your list. There will be 

 plenty of time to alter it before the time to order roses; and any time in 

 the winter when the ground is not covered with snow, put on your shawl 

 and overshoes and go out and select your ground. If possible to have 

 any other place, don't select the front lawn, and don't plant single speci- 

 mens, but choose some place at the side or in the garden. Be as careful 

 as you can not to have it where the horses have to come to turn around 

 with the plow or cultivator. 



Having staked out your bed, you can have it plowed or spaded this fall, 

 and well enriched, because roses need good feed. I forgot to say, don't 

 choose a place where the water stands during winter, but of course 

 you are all expected to have your garden drained, if it needs it. 



Having your bed staked out, you can have it plowed or spaded as early 

 in the spring as it is possible to work the ground. Have it enriched, and 

 when you think the weather favorable, about the 10th of May will gener- 

 ally answer. Having corrected your list, cut down one half, probably, 

 send in your order, and while waiting for it to be filled, have your bed 

 spaded again, or spade it yourself. It's lots of work to raise roses. You 

 can order plants by mail or express, getting larger plants by express at 

 a much higher price. Each rose will have a label bearing its name. 



Take them from the box, carefully remove the moss, or the most of it, 

 put their roots in a large pan of water, with the chill off or slightly warm. 

 Spade up your bed again, or perhaps hoe it up, raking it this time. Then 

 take a trowel, or a kitchen fork, and proceed to set your plants. Dig a 

 hole with the fork, set in the plants, cover a little dirt over the roots, pour 

 in a little water, and proceed to set the rest, taking pains to place the 

 taller-growing varieties at the back of the bed. Now go bac*lf to the first 



