CHAPTER XVII 



PLANTING ROSES 



To hasty or otherwise improper planting may be more 

 often traced the unsatisfactory condition of Roses in 

 gardens large or small than to all other causes put 

 together. The term " planting " as here used is a com- 

 prehensive one, as it is intended to include the choice 

 of the position of the Rose garden, the preparation 

 of the beds, as well as the actual planting of the 

 Roses themselves. This question, then, of planting, 

 is one of supreme importance. 



Position. — The best site for Roses is an open yet 

 sheltered one, though as little shut in by trees or 

 buildings as may be. On the other hand it must not 

 be too much exposed, for although Roses delight in a 

 free atmosphere they have a great objection to be fre- 

 quently swept by high winds. Shelter from the north 

 and east is most necessary, but exposure to strong 

 winds from almost any quarter is undesirable. Bear- 

 ing these facts in mind, the position best complying 

 with them should be chosen, and, if necessary, a high 

 hedge or belt of trees be planted on the side where 

 shelter is most needed. Care must however be taken 

 that this hedge, or tree belt, is sufficiently distant 

 from the Roses to prevent the possibility of its roots 

 finding their way at some future time into the Rose 



