90 PARSONS OX THE ROSE. 



should then be carefully examined, and every portion that 

 has been bruised should be cut off; all the broken ends 

 should also be cut away as far as they are split or injured. 

 Any root of the character of a tap-root, or growing di- 

 rectly down into the earth, should be cut off; for it is best 

 to encourage only lateral roots, which can more readily 

 partake of the benefits of the rain and sun, and can more 

 effectually absorb the nutriment in the soil. 



In the spring the hole for each plant should be dug 

 somewhat larger than the root, and the bottom fork- 

 ed, or dug up, and if necessary enriched with the surface 

 soil, which, it is presumed, has been prepared according 

 to preceding directions. Let one hold the plant, while 

 another throws in the soil ; or if one alone is planting, let him 

 hold the stem just above the root with one hand, and throw 

 in the soil with the other, moving the stem from side to side, 

 and occasionally pulling it upward a little and shaking the 

 root until the soil has worked well among the fibres ; on 

 which much of the subsequent prosperity of the plant de- 

 pends. If the weather is dry, a little water may be 

 placed in the hole, which should then be filled up and the 

 soil well trodden down about the stem. When planted, 

 it should be very little, if at all, lower in the ground than 

 before ; very little of the stem should be buried ; and 

 when trodden down, the root should be made firm and 

 solid. 



In i^lanting climbing or pillar roses, care should bo 

 taken to set the trellis, or pillar, or Avhatover may be used 

 for their support, before the plant is pat in the ground ; 

 for if such should be set after the plant has commenced 

 growing vigorously, it will in all probability damage the 

 roots, and give the plant a check from which it will not 

 recover during the whole season. 



The Rose, even in the best soils, should be taken up ev- 

 ery three or four years, and have its roots shortened and 

 pruned ; a portion of the soil in which it grew should 



