THE ENEMIES OF THE ROSE 115 



after such a winter with perfectly sound wood even 

 within a few inches of the surface of the beds. 



Standard Roses are less easily protected. Bracken, 

 cut in September before it has become brittle, should 

 be secured to the heads ; or a more effectual pro- 

 tection may be afforded the standard Teas by first 

 drawing the shoots of the plant together and then 

 lightly thatching the head with straw or bracken 

 fastened above it to a firm stake, with one or more 

 ties lower down, as may be necessary to prevent the 

 straw or bracken from being blown aside in high 

 winds. Tender wall Roses, such as Marechal Niel, 

 are best protected by fastening over them some fine 

 cotton netting, or by placing bracken, small sprigs 

 of fir, or other light evergreens, among the branches. 



Drought. — In dry weather it will be well to give all 

 the plants a good watering (at least half a gallon to 

 each Rose) once a week, either with clear water or 

 weak liquid manure. On the following day the beds 

 should be hoed to keep a loose surface, which will 

 be of the greatest help in preventing the soil beneath 

 from becoming quickly dry again. Another plan is 

 to give each plant a thorough watering with clear 

 water and then to cover over the surface of the beds 

 with a mulching or covering of half-decayed manure. 

 The objection to a mulching, which should never 

 be applied before June, is that many consider it un- 

 sightly, and the birds are sure to scratch among it 

 and so scatter the manure over the grass or other 

 paths between the beds. 



Insect Pests. — Against the foregoing and other ad- 



