ON ROSES 325 



unsightly, it may be turned under the surface. Loosen- 

 ing chalk may be regarded as very heavy work, but as 

 a matter of fact it is generally easier than breaking up a 

 subsoil of clay. Manure from cowyards may be used 

 for heavy soil, but manure from horse stables is best for 

 light soil. 



Planting. There is one advantage which light soil 

 has, and that is, it can be prepared and planted in 

 almost any weather ; there is no weary waiting after 

 rain as in the case of clay. The Rose-lover appreciates 

 this in a wet autumn. It is generally understood that 

 November is the best planting month, and the rosarian 

 grows discontented if that month merges into December, 

 and incessant rain keeps the soil too wet for culture. 

 In any case, the plants should be ordered for delivery 

 early in November, so that they can be laid in a row 

 with soil over their roots, ready for planting out at the 

 first opportunity. Even if the whole winter should 

 pass they will be safe ; and spring planting should be 

 preferred to autumn in stiff soil when the ground is 

 puddly in November. While waiting, the labels should 

 be prepared and written. They may be bought ready 

 painted, or they can be made of builder's laths cut 

 up into ten-inch lengths and pointed. The upper part 

 should be planed with a stroke or two of the knife, 

 and then lightly brushed over with white paint, as this 

 gives a good writing surface. I have the lower half of 

 my labels painted with Stockholm tar, a pint of which, 

 purchasable at a gasworks or builder's for a trifle, will 

 suffice for hundreds. It acts as a preservative, and ob- 

 viates the necessity for renewing labels frequently. With 

 trees and labels all ready, planting is performed speedily. 

 It is convenient for two to work together, one making 

 capacious holes with a spade, deep enough to cover the 



