IX 

 CULTIVATION 



If the directions given in this book for location, 

 preparation of bed, ordering, planting and pruning 

 have been followed, the really hard work is over and 

 the most pleasant part is ahead. The actual culture 

 of the rose is very easy and agreeable. Beyond a 

 Httle spring and autumn care, some spraying and 

 the weeding of the beds, there is not much work to 

 be done. In the spring, after the frost is out of the 

 ground, take off the covering of the bed, whether 

 it be litter or only leaves. The little mounds should 

 now be raked down so that the bed is level, and if 

 the roses were covered with litter the greater part 

 of it, especially the straw, should be removed, and 

 the manure that is left should be forked into the 

 bed; but not to the extent of disturbing the roots. 

 After the roses are pruned, the next thing is the 

 feeding of the plants in order to give a particularly 

 fine growth. 



In the bed itself, there is enough manure to furnish 



the roots with food for many years, but to secure 



the best results feed the roots from the surface. 



Wood ashes and bone meal may be alternately forked 



into the bed after growth has begun. Another good 



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