LOCATION AND PREPARATION 



in the ground by protecting it from the sun's absorb- 

 ing rays but also greatly reduce the actual tempera- 

 ture of the bed. 



In July and August the ground temperature of 

 beds covered with this mulch is several degrees lower 

 than adjacent beds. Later, when the average ground 

 temperature is below seventy, there is little if any 

 difference. In addition to this it prevents some seeds 

 of weeds from germinating, so that this cover prac- 

 tically eliminates constant weeding. It also gives 

 the beds a neat and most attractive appearance. 

 The best time to put on this peat moss is when the 

 flower buds commence to form, except in very cool 

 damp seasons, when it should be withheld until the 

 ground surface becomes dried. 



This peat moss may be secured from any nursery, 

 and it should be ground fine by a machine, then 

 sprinkled with water before it is placed on the beds, 

 to keep it from blowing about. By putting on a six- 

 inch blanket you will secure the finished depth 

 required of from three to four inches. 



In order to avoid breaking the rose canes the safest 

 way to pack the moss properly into place is to 

 trample on it carefully. It will be found that the 

 roses so covered will give bloom about as early as 

 plants left unprotected by moss, and during the 

 hottest weather the covered plants will thrive to a 



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