Roses all Winter 269 



Planting and General Treatment 



Roses, like all other plants, delight in a clean 

 house. Before filling the benches with soil it 

 pays to make a thorough clean up. A coat of 

 lime wash inside the benches would be in order. 

 The make-up of soil has been explained. All 

 that remains to be said is: be cautious in han- 

 dling rose soil when over-charged with moisture. 

 One could aim to fill the benches if possible when 

 the soil is of a happy medium, not over dry nor 

 too wet; just in a free working condition. 

 Should the soil be a bit on the wet side when 

 placed on the benches it may be allowed to dry 

 out somewhat before leveling off. Still, this is 

 not nearly so satisfactory as when brought in a 

 perfect working condition. Soil four and one 

 half or five inches deep is about right for raised 

 benches. In solid beds, six inches can be used 

 providing there is perfect drainage below; in fact, 

 it is the perfect drainage that brings success. 

 Clinkers from the greenhouse boilers are excellent 

 for that purpose. Then, before placing in the 

 soil, a light coat of long manure should be placed 

 over the drainage to prevent the soil from sifting 

 through. 



Assuming that the soil has been thoroughly 

 mixed with the manure and a little bone added 



