14 COMMERCIAL ROSE CULTURE 



under water at any time of the year. A southeast to southwest 

 exposure is the best. 



If a natural shelter exists on the north and northwest, it 

 is well; if none is there, it is advisable to plant trees which, in 

 a few years' time, will make a windbreak. The water supply 

 is important and should be one of the first considerations. If 

 a stream runs through the property, from which water may be 

 pumped, it will save the expense of driving a well and will 

 possibly give water on which Roses will thrive better than on 

 well water. I do not mean to condemn well water, for it is 

 generally used with good results, but I believe that water from 

 streams is often better for plant life if only from the fact that 

 the wash it contains from the land through which it flows 

 is of some value as a fertilizer. It is generally very soft and 

 the next best article to rain water which old gardeners used to 

 catch and carefully preserve for use when watering their plants. 

 Where there is city or town water to be had at reasonable 

 rates this source of supply is generally adopted. The cost will 

 vary, but might approximate $100.00 per year for every 30,000 

 square feet of glass. Some people claim to pump their own 

 water from streams or wells for one-tenth of this sum but, 

 when everything is figured in from first cost of installing a 

 pumping outfit to labor and fuel in running it, it looks as 

 though a man could soon use up two dollars a week on a 

 place of any size. 



In choosing a location avoid branch railroads and, if at all 

 possible, get near to a station on the main line. The wisdom 

 of this step, when receiving coal and all other freight, as well 

 as when making the daily shipments of flowers or plants, will 

 soon be apparent. Good shipping facilities are indispensable to 

 any establishment, and proximity to express offices is advanta- 

 geous. 



Cow manure is an item to be considered and, if there are 



