PLANTING 



63 



The Actual Planting. — When ready to plant, remember 

 again that roots must be kept from the wind. Spring winds 

 are so drying that fatal damage may occur from a few 

 minutes of exposure. The best plan, when planting, is to keep 

 the roots covered with a damp piece of burlap, or of other 

 packing materiaL 



Next, make the holes in the bed, which should have been 

 prepared as shown on page 54, and make them large enough to 

 accommodate the roots in a natural and uncramped position, 

 neither too deep nor too shallow (see illustration). Do not 

 spread the roots out flat, but point them down, slanting out- 

 ward. Use care to keep the roots from direct contact with the 

 manure, lest the roses get indigestion. It is a good plan to 

 dip the roots, before planting, in a thin mud made by mixing 

 loam or clay with water. Settle well-pulverized soil in around 

 the roots, so as to fill up every air-space, and so that every 

 single root shall be entirely encased in soil. When the hole is 

 half filled, and roots covered, press the soil down firmly with 

 the hands; then fill the hole with water and let it drain away; 

 fill in level with soil, and tramp it carefully but securely; give a 

 final covering of soil, which should be about level with the 

 surrounding turf, but not high enough to let the water run 

 away when it rains. Also protect from the bright sunshine for 

 a few days. 



The following illustration shows how deep to plant budded 

 roses — own-root plants should be set so that all side branches 

 are well above ground. 



Too deep 



Too shallow, and 

 roots wrong 



Just right 



Right, and banked 

 for winter 



