the ground at least two years. I have seen more rose 

 bushes ruined and lost by withholding water from 

 them than all causes put together, especially if the soil 

 is not as heavy as it should be. You should try to 

 arrange to do your planting of rose bushes during the 

 months of January, February and the fore part of 

 March. The nurserymen are usually prepared to fur- 

 nish you rose stock at all times, having them in boxes 

 and large cans, which are planted out at any time of 

 the year, causing no harm to or setting back the 

 bushes in their growth. 



The pruning of rose bushes should be done during 

 December and January. In the list of rose bushes 

 that I have named, only the Frau Karl Druschki should 

 have the main stocks trimmed back severely, as it 

 makes a growth anywhere from six to twelve feet 

 high, often being mistaken for a climber. It should 

 be pruned back to within four or five feet of the 

 ground. Prune off every side shoot there is on the 

 main stalks, close up to the stalk, cut out all small or 

 stunted stalks and the ends of the main stalks where 

 they start to get small at the ends. Let the main 

 stocks be absolutely stripped of every leaf or twig 

 that has a leaf. Bear this fact in mind, only the 

 new growth that comes from the main stocks produces 

 rose blooms. 



In January or February proceed to fertilize with 

 fresh horse manure if the soil is heavy, if sandy or light 

 use cow manure, to a depth of four or five inches. (Do 

 not guess it but measure.) The surface of the ground 

 to be covered to be not less than two feet in all direc- 

 tions from the base of the bush and farther if your 

 bushes are large and the root system extends farther. 

 After the manure has laid four or five weeks and the 

 winter rains have carried much of the strength from 

 the fertilizer to the roots, spade or fork it all under, 



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