98 COMMERCIAL ROSE CULTURE 



dry side give a moderate amount of liquid manure during the 

 growing season, alternating this occasionally with clear water 

 as the plants require. Avoid any conditions in the house which 

 will cause drip. Keep a little steam and air on every night and 

 stormy day, and spray with a copper solution about every ten 

 days if there is any tendency to black spot; if this latter shows 

 up it must be faithfully picked off and burned. 



Old plants may be cut back and replanted after being dried 

 off a little. Replant in good new loam, give a fair watering, 

 and then spray the tops occasionally to cause the young shoots 

 to break well and come strong. Then, as the plants advance 

 and take hold of the soil, more water at the root may be given. 

 Old plants may be dried off a couple of weeks and then pruned 

 and started up the same as the Hybrid Teas. Yellowing of the 

 foliage is the common result of this operation caused by over- 

 watering. A good plan is to w^ater the beds after scraping off 

 the old loam. Then, after the topdressing, no more water is 

 given, as the moisture received is sufficient to keep them going 

 until they are well started into growth. Then they may re- 

 ceive a careful watering. 



American Beauty Roses, grafted on Manetti, are the best 

 for carrying over and starting up in this way, is the report of 

 Mr. Alexander Montgomery, as there is not the same danger 

 of yellowing, but otherwise there is no advantage in grafting 

 this variety. 



The Winter treatment is much the same as for other Roses ; 

 60 degrees to 62 degrees is a good night temperature. So long 

 as the tops look red you can be reasonably sure that you will 

 get a flower. In the vicinity of Philadelphia they say that, if 

 the buds are formed by Thanksgiving, they will be in time for 

 Christmas. In the neighborhood of Boston it takes about ten 

 days longer. About six weeks is required, generally speaking. 

 No two places or seasons will be exactly alike. Careful watch 

 must be kept for thrips. If this gets a foothold, it will very 



