CULTIVATION 



regarding the proper method. An ordinary scratch 

 hoe, as the gardener terms it, will quickly take out 

 the weeds and also destroy some of those not yet 

 up. Care must be taken not to hurt the rose roots. 



As the days become warmer and the ground drier 

 take more care of the plants. Keep the earth broken 

 up in the beds and do not permit it to form a hard 

 cake or crust, as it will do if left alone. This breaking 

 up should be done twice a week. In addition to 

 this consider feeding the roses further for the very 

 best blooms. For this purpose ordinary manure 

 water, as described above, is the best possible food 

 and perhaps easiest to secure in most places. When 

 the roses are fully formed, withhold manure water 

 until after the first crop, apply again as each suc- 

 ceeding crop of buds commences to develop. Roses 

 need a slight rest between crops. If a mulch has 

 been used, there will be very little weeding and no 

 breaking up of dried earth necessary and the moisture 

 should be well conserved in the beds. 



Watering is necessary in very dry weather if the 

 ground becomes thoroughly baked, but never water 

 late in the day. The plants should go to sleep with 

 dry foliage, otherwise mildew will develop. Roses 

 should always be watered early in the morning before 

 the temperature rises — it is unnatural to water them 

 during heat — they are accustomed to cool tempera- 



179 



