16 CULTURE OP THE ROSE. 



trench may then be filled up immediately; but, if the 

 trees are vigorous, it must be dug over again the follow- 

 ing year. It is much better to choose, at the outset, an 

 airy, sunny situation, at a reasonable distance from grow- 

 ing trees ; but, at the same time, a spot exposed to violent 

 winds should be avoided, as they are very injurious and 

 exhausting. 



Roses may be planted either in spring or in autumn. 

 In the Northern States, the severity of the winter de- 

 mands some protection, when planted in autumn, for all 

 except the old, hardy varieties. Plant as early as possi~ 

 ble, that the roots may take some ^hold on the soil before 

 winter closes. October, for this reason, is better than 

 November. The best protection is earth heaped around 

 the stem to the height of from six inches to a foot. Pine, 

 cedar, or spruce boughs are also excellent. When earth 

 alone is used, the top of the rose is often frost-killed; 

 but this is usually of no consequence, the growth and 

 bloom being only more vigorous for this natural pruning. 

 Dry leaves heaped among or around the roses, and kept 

 down by sticks or pieces of board, or by earth thrown on 



