318 ANNUAL REPOUT 



as I have found when uncovered in the spring. Have found the 

 same result where the ground froze and cracked open so the 

 water would run in and they got wet during spring when the 

 frost was coming out. I think we should wait just as late as 

 possible before we cover them. Be careful to round up the earth 

 to throw off the water, and then use some mulching of some 

 kind so the ground won't crack; that is of advantage. That also 

 keeps them back in the spring. 



Mrs. Stager. I have had good success in covering by putting 

 a lot of straw over them and making quite a mound of earth. 

 Last spring, not having much help, it was near the middle of 

 June when they were uncovered; the consequence was I grew 

 the most beautiful roses I ever had. There was a fuller bloom 

 than I have ever seen before. People would come from six and 

 eight miles around to see my roses. 



President Elliot. I would inquire if the rose buds had started 

 much! 



Mrs. Stager. Not at all. They had just commenced. They 

 looked a very light green color and I was afraid it would kill 

 them entirely. 



Mr. Pearse. I am in favor of covering with earth. I have 

 tried it. It should be done I think as late as possible when the 

 wood is as ripe as it can be. My neighbor, a lady across the 

 way, has had wonderful success. I never have known her ta 

 have her roses injured. She covers late with coarse litter from 

 the barn and then protects the covering from moisture. Her 

 roses have never failed to come out and I am impressed with the 

 idea it is the correct way. 



Mr. Eeeves. I would ask if any of those who have covered 

 with leaves or straw have had trouble caused by moisture. I 

 never raised but a few roses, but I covered twice with leaves and 

 straw and both times the mice girdled the plants. I have cov- 

 ered with dirt and had good success. 



President Elliot. There is no trouble covering with straw or 

 mulching, providing you take a little tin can and put in a little 

 corn meal and mix in a little strychnine and lay it down among 

 jour rose bushes. The mice will always find it and will never 

 leave it. 



Mr. Bunnell. Where you cover with stable litter is it not li- 

 able to be too hot? 



President Elliot. I never cover with that. 



Mr. Harris. Whoever uses that will meet with disaster from it. 



