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CHAPTER XVll. 



THE ROSE GROWER'S CALENDAR 



" Roses and friends to share thy merriment^ 

 Seize noiv that Joy ivith loliich to-day is rife ! " 



— Omar Khayyam. 



JANUARY. 



There is always work to do in every garden of 

 any size, but if the Rose grower has followed closely 

 the seasons of the year in all his undertakings, 

 January will be one of the most quiet months. Plant- 

 ing that has been delayed should be pushed forward 

 whenever the ground is free from frost. Old manure 

 from spent hot beds can be got out, and beds that 

 have been forked over can be top-dressed with the 

 same, but only when the frost is out of the ground. 



Roses under glass will now be starting, and 

 ventilation and careful watering will be necessary. On 

 the first signs of any insect pests fumigate the house 

 with Auto-Shreds. Standard Rose stocks may still be 

 procured from the hedge-row and planted as soon as 

 possible. 



All trees this month should be regularly inspected 

 after storms of wind or rain; those that are loosened 

 should be nailed in or tied up, and those that are 

 planted on low-lying or clay soil should not have 

 water standing round them too long. From the latter 

 part of the month until the middle of February Roses 

 may be grafted in heat under glass. Pot Roses should 

 be pruned and brought into the house in relays at 

 intervals of a few days to ensure a succession of 

 flower. Before it is too late all arches or pergolas 

 should be erected, and climbers installed in their 

 places. If forgotten, pot up a few Rose trees for 

 careful transplanting into the open in late spring or 

 summer to make up any losses. 



