ROSE 



r f 



Ctiltii'tition. — Just before growth commences in the 

 spring, the surplus rough manure should be removed 

 from the beds and all the remaining fine particles 

 forked in. Deep cultivation is not desirable, as the roots 

 are likely to be injured or broken. Three inches in 

 depth is quite sufficient to cultivate a bed that has not 

 been trampled upon, and this should be done with a 4- 

 tined digging-fork, which is less likely to cause injury 

 to roots than a spade. The beds should then be neatly 

 edged and the surface raked off smooth and even. Fre- 

 quent stirring of the surface with a sharp rake is all 

 that is necessary afterwards, until the buds begin to 

 develop. Then half a gallon of weak liquid manure ap- 

 plied around the roots of each plant just before a 

 shower will be eagerly appreciated and assimilated. 

 The manure water should be prei>ared beforehand, and 



of 



appi 



all 



.-plant given a full 

 r:ui..n. ( 1)1,. |H is.,i] should dig a shallow trench with a 

 gMr.irii tii.M I iiiMinid each plant, the next follow and 

 fill Willi till- liiiuiil manure, being careful to avoid be- 

 srairi'hing the leaves; afterwards the bed can be raked 

 over level and the rain will wash the dainty food to the 

 eager roots, and thrift and glory will result. This feed- 

 ing may be repeated with benefit every week until the 

 season of bloom is over, after which stimulation should 

 cease and the plants be permitted to perfect the new 

 wood for the next season's growth. Little pruning is 

 necessary with "cut-backs." So much' wood has been 

 removed in gathering the blooms that but littlr- ,i,orr- i« 

 left than is needed to keep the plaiii- v!-r>n.ii^ :,n,l 

 healthy. There is another advantage fruti iIm' -y-i.i,i 

 of close pruning: all growths are so si i"im ,iimI '\i-^.r- 

 ous that they are better able to resist any iinoa.ls 

 either of insects or disease. The greenfiy seldom ap- 

 pears, but when detected may be readily kept down by 

 repeated syringing with tobacco-water or Quassia 



llfusi, 



The belief that Roses exhaust the soil i 



and require to be cha 

 accepted, aud is true 



planted the m.,'oi<>\is 

 cialh if 1 ^'iiicioiis 



. few years 

 ground is generally 

 , but when beds are 

 ind budded Roses 

 find siifficient nutri- 

 suppoit a healthy 

 I 111 my J ears, espe- 

 11 mure be applied 

 1 1 lied liberally dur- 

 A top dressing of 

 iltivation will restore 



ing the de%elopment of tlie 



wood ashes after the first spi 



the potash to the soil and materially increase the vigor 



of the wood and flowers. 



99 



Slugs are usually found on the under side of the 

 leaves and may be discovered by the skeletonized 

 appearance of the leaf. To destroy them, make a 

 decoction of powdered white hellebore, with one heap- 

 ing tablespoouful to a pail (about four gallons) of boil- 



ing water. After cooling, apply with a syringe or, 

 better, with a whisk broom. Push the top of the plant 

 away with the left hand aud, with the broom dipped in 

 the solution, throw the drug up and against the leaves. 

 One thorough application will usually suffice, but if the 

 slug has appeared in previous years, anticipate his com- 



