234 HOME FLORICULTURE 



which will include some of the best kinds, and which 

 will be sure to give you as good satisfaction as you 

 would get from a selection of your own. Better, in 

 most instances, for you would make your selection 

 from the description in the catalog, while he would 

 select from his knowledge of the merits of the flower. 

 By all means have a bed of these most sweet and 

 lovely Roses. If the season happens to be a hot and 

 dry one, mulch your rose bed with grass clippings 

 from the lawn. Spread them evenly about the plants, 

 to a depth of two or three inches, in such a manner 

 as to cover the entire bed. By so doing, you prevent 

 rapid evaporation and the roots of the plants are kept 

 much cooler than when strong sunshine is allowed to 

 beat down upon the surface of the bed. When the 

 mulch begins to decay, remove it, and apply fresh 

 clippings. About the middle of the season, give the 

 soil a liberal dressing of fine bone meal, working it 

 in well about the roots of the plants, or, if you can 

 get it, use old cow manure. Whatever you apply, be 

 sure it gets where the roots can make use of it. 



