The Rose Garden 301 



or if you are not quite ready to set them out with that leisurely 

 carefulness that so well repays the rosarian. Examine each plant, 

 and cut off with a sharp knife or pruning-shears all broken roots, 

 bruised stalks, weak growth, long canes that may be whipped by 

 the wind, and any eyes that can be detected below the bud on the 

 Manetti stock, lest they develop later. Take from the hole where 

 the roses have been heeled in, or from their protecting cover, only 

 one plant at a time, and set it out immediately, lest its roots dry 

 out in the wind and sun. Two pairs of hands are better than one 

 when it comes to planting roses one is needed to hold the plant 

 in position while the other pair spreads out the roots horizontally, 

 in such a way that they do not cross one another, and covers them 

 with the finely worked soil, which should be firmly pressed down 

 with the boot. Stamping will pack it none too firmly, for air spaces 

 around the roots are fatal. Pot-grown roses for late planting must 

 be set out just as their cramped roots leave the terra cotta prisons: 

 they cannot be spread without endangering the rose s life. If 

 many roses are to be planted, in no other way can they be set out 

 so quickly as in a trench of the proper depth and width. 



Over the raked surface of the rose bed spread enough light 

 stable litter, short hay, leaves, or grass cuttings from the lawn to 

 screen the sun from the soil and prevent it from baking. In every 

 newly planted garden this mulch should be left on all summer. 

 It is not pretty; it is rather troublesome to lift off and replace when 

 the surface of the soil needs stirring with a hoe once a month; but 

 the mulch increases the vigour if it does not save the life of every rose 

 you set out; moreover, it keeps down weeds. Hybrid teas and 

 teas are especially dependent upon it if they are to bloom at 

 midsummer. Only well-established, deep-rooted roses can safely 

 do without it during drought. It prevents much loss of moisture. 



