PLANTING 



OF all the operations which constitute the art of Rose- 

 growing almost the most important is the planting. It 

 does not matter how good the plants are, nor in how 

 excellent a condition they arrive from the nurseryman, 

 if they are badly or carelessly planted no amount of 

 after care will compensate for the set-back they will 

 have received. The time of planting is important, the 

 best being the beginning of November, but the planting 

 may be done at any suitable time between then and the 

 end of March. The National Rose Society advises that 

 in the case of the weather or the soil being in an un- 

 favourable condition for Rose-planting during November 

 and December the plants should be only carefully 

 " heeled in" on their arrival, leaving the final planting in 

 tlieir permanent position until the end of February or 

 beginning of March. Good open weather in the 

 beginning of November, with the ground neither hard 

 with frost nor sodden with moisture is the ideal moment 

 for Rose-planting. The Roses should have been 

 selected some time previously ; in the case of a beginner 

 it is an excellent plan to pay a visit to some large Rose 

 garden during the flowering season, when a good 

 selection should be made on the spot, and noted for 

 ordering later on. The earlier the actual ordering is 

 done the better, as not only does this ensure the plants 

 being delivered in good time for early planting, but if 

 the order is left till late in the season it will frequently 

 be found that all the best young plants have been already 

 disposed of. 



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