SITUATION, SOIL AND PLANTING 171 



feet, and each standard should have a stake to support 

 it, this being put in before the roots are covered. When 

 the whole bed is planted, lightly fork up the surface, but 

 do not cover it with manure. A week or so after planting 

 it is a good plan to press the heel against each plant 

 to ensure its being quite firm in the soil ; nothing is 

 more detrimental than loose planting. No watering 

 is needed in autumn, but after spring planting it is 

 well to give water occasionally. It is a mistake to plant 

 in frosty weather. The plants should be kept in a trench 

 while the frost lasts. If they arrive while the ground 

 is frozen, keep the package in a frost-proof cellar until 

 mild weather, then unpack the roses, and bury them 

 in soil for a day or two. 



After planting in late spring all shoots should be 

 cut back to within two or three inches of the base. 

 Be careful to label all roses, or a detailed plan may be 

 kept of each bed. Much of the pleasure of a rose garden 

 is lost if the names of the varieties are not known. 



Replanting old rose trees and bushes may be done 

 with safety if undertaken in October or early November. 

 They will derive much benefit from a good supply of 

 the compost previously mentioned, and the shoots 

 should be considerably shortened and any very soft 

 growths cut out. Often old and unhealthy plants will 

 take on a fresh lease of life if transplanted to a better 

 position, and given fresh soil about their roots. In 

 planting roses in town gardens, as, indeed, in all gardens, 

 be sure the subsoil has been well broken up to a depth 

 of at least two feet. 



