November Autumn Work for Summer 



summer, and even from Roses planted in March have 

 had quite a fair show of bloom within four months. 

 One really does not know how accommodating Roses 

 may prove to be ; they may adapt themselves admirably 

 to conditions thought likely to put too great a strain 

 on their good nature, and thrive as well as those given 

 orthodox treatment ; yet, on the other hand, they may 

 not, and the planter is left bewailing. This advice 

 reminds one of that given by the financial papers to 

 the reader who wishes to purchase shares ; these may 

 rise in the near future, he is told, but, on the other hand, 

 they may not 1 However, he is wise who gives his Roses 

 the treatment that is generally considered to ensure 

 success, and the chief article of orthodox Rose faith 

 is to plant in early autumn. If Roses are well and 

 truly planted they may remain undisturbed for years; 

 they will increase in vigour and floriferousness as the 

 seasons pass, and finally develop into sturdy bushes that 

 seem to hold an indefinite lease of life. Too much 

 reliance cannot be placed upon deep digging ; its proper 

 performance is worth loads of manure, and its good 

 effects will outlast those of the latter. Most of my 

 own Roses were planted six or seven years ago and 

 have not been disturbed, but they are in soil that was 

 trenched to the depth of 3 feet and manured at the time. 



Although lifting and replanting may be, and certainly 

 are, beneficial when Roses are in ill-health, I believe that 

 frequent transplantation is wrong. Some growers make 

 a practice of replanting their bushes about every three 

 years, with the object of imbuing them with fresh youth 

 and vigour. But they usually need one season in which 

 to recover fully from the disturbance to the roots, and, 

 if the work is carried out negligently, they may be so 

 weakened as to dwindle and die. 



Making a Rose Bed. Different kinds of land need 

 different treatment. If there is clay, gravel, sand or 

 chalk within 18 or 24 inches of the surface, the only hope 

 E 49 



