APPENDIX A 



THE ROSE-LOVER'S CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS 



"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.'" 



— Robert Herrick. 



THESE dates will be found reLatively correct for the aver- 

 age season in the latitude of Philadelphia. If you live 

 north or south, make the usual allowance of about four 

 days for every 100 miles of latitude. Comparative altitude 

 must also be taken into consideration. The seasons vary; for 

 example, the ground may be in good condition and ready for 

 digging as much as three weeks earlier one year than it will be 

 the following spring. 



March 75. — Such hardy roses as are already planted should now be 

 pruned. 



March 2y to 50. — As soon as the ground can be well worked, plant new 

 hardy roses which are to be had dormant. Prune these even more closely 

 than older established bushes. 



April 10. — Less hardy roses, including the everblooming class, should 

 be pruned. Begin to remove the winter protection as the increasing heat 

 of the sun permits. 



April 15. — As a preventive measure against mildew and other fungoid 

 contagious diseases, it pays at this time to spray with bordeaux mixture 

 all your rose plants as well as near-by fruit trees and grape-vines. 



April 2y to 50. — Finish uncovering and pruning your roses. Plant new 

 ones (now or until the middle of May). A slight shading of these from the 

 sun for a few days will prove an advantage. 



May I to 10. — As soon as plants are well set with foliage, a spraying 

 with a solution of nicotine or sulpho-tobacco soap will act as a preventive 

 against aphides (green fly). 



May 20. — As soon as buds begin to swell, weak manure-water may be 

 applied to the plants. Spray again to kill ofi" the aphides, otherwise they 

 will multiply with amazing speed. 



May 25. — Now starts the season's procession of bloom, led by Hugonis, 

 then the sturdy Rugosas and the yellow Briar roses. Start feeding the 

 Hybrid Perpetual roses with liquid manure, 



June I. — ^^'ith this month we see the true glory of the "Feast of Roses." 



June 5. — W^atch for the rose beetle and rose slug, and spray every 

 ten days for three weeks with a half pound of arsenate of lead to ten gallons 

 of water. 



June 10. — Begin to nourish the Teas and Hybrid Teas with liquid 

 manure (page 57). You'll soon see the result. 



June 20 to 30. — Now the Teas, Hybrid Teas, and Climbers begin 

 blooming in abundance. Cut your blossoms freely. Look out for mildew 

 and apply the remedy. 



July I. — Keep the soil well stirred. A dust mulch at this season is 

 important. (See also page 77.) 



July 4. — Gather all the flowers you can; it is not best for the plants to 

 have them die on the bushes. You should now be reaping a full harvest 

 from the Teas, Hybrid Teas, etc. 



(164) 



