96 ROSES FOR ENGLISH GARDENS 



to place a mat over them when brought to the side of 

 the bed. A square hole for each plant should be 

 made, not more than six inches deep and sufficiently 

 large to hold the roots when spread out horizontally. 

 A plant should then be taken from beneath the mat- 

 ting and placed in the hole, taking care to spread out 

 the roots evenly all round. Some fine soil, free from 

 manure, should next be worked with the hand between 

 the roots and above them to the depth of three inches, 

 and afterwards trodden down with moderate firmness, 

 so as not to bruise the roots. After adding more soil, 

 that in the hole should again be pressed down, more 

 firmly this time, and a final treading given when the 

 hole is filled up. Firm planting is of the greatest 

 importance to the after welfare of the plants. In 

 planting Roses intended for exhibition, or where extra 

 attention can be given them, it will be well to place a 

 little leaf-mould at the bottom of each hole, and to 

 work in, among and above the roots, a few inches of 

 the same material instead of the fine soil. Failing 

 leaf-mould, some finely chopped fibrous loam may be 

 used ; if of a somewhat gritty nature so much the 

 better. In each case a small handful of bone-dust 

 should be sprinkled over the layer of leaf-mould 

 or fibrous loam. The principal advantage of these 

 additions is that they enable the plants to become 

 more quickly established, and also allow of the 

 planting being proceeded with, when, owing to the 

 wet nature of the soil in the beds, it would not be 

 otherwise practicable. No manure should be allowed 

 to come in contact with the roots themselves at the 



