THE ROSE GARDEN 53 



form. Another is Ophelia, a more decided pink salmon than Sunburst, 

 and a variety which has been received throughout the Rose world 

 with enthusiasm. 



It is difficult to know where to place some Roses, sueh as the in- 

 comparable Mme. Edouard Herriot, the "Daily Mail" Rose, which is 

 described by its introducer, Pernet-Ducher, as "coral red, shaded at 

 the base with yellow." Another has described the color as appearing 

 like "sunshine upon a copper-red metal." It is a splendid variety and 

 worthy of acquaintance. One variety, a rich yellow, suffused carmine, 

 commands the attention of all; it is Marquise de Sinety, a semi-double 

 and very fragrant. 



SOILS. The soil best suited for Roses is usually considered to be 

 a medium heavy loam, especially for hybrid perpetuals, briers and 

 climbers. The hybrid teas and teas prefer a lighter soil, a sandy loam. 

 The hybrid perpetuals, hybrid teas and teas require perfect drainage. 



WIDTH OF BEDS. Roses are best planted in beds. If they are to 

 be worked from both sides, five or six feet is wide enough and three feet 

 is the proper width for beds against the walls. Beds that are too wide 

 necessitate stepping in them when picking the blooms or when culti- 

 vating. Narrow beds are poor because of the intrusion of grass roots 

 upon the nourishment which would otherwise go to the Roses. If 

 possible it is best to reserve the Rose beds for Roses alone and not 

 attempt growing many other things. 



PREPARATION OF SOIL. Dr. Huey of Philadelphia, a noted 

 veteran rosarian, says that it is much better to put a fifteen-cent 

 Rose bush hi a fifty-cent hole than to put a fifty-cent Rose bush 

 in a fifteen-cent hole. The preparation of the beds should take 

 place in the Fall in order that the soil may have an opportunity to 

 settle. 



All Rose beds should be dug eighteen inches or two feet deep. The 

 subsoil should be loosened and thoroughly manured, then fill in to over 

 half the depth with manured top soil over which spread a good layer 

 of compost. By compost we mean soil which has been thoroughly en- 

 riched by manure (one barrow of manure to three of soil) and bone- 

 meal; this should be allowed to become thoroughly incorporated with 

 the soil, piling alternate layers of soil and manure and allowing to 

 remain for a few months or a year. Lastly, the top layer may be 

 any good soil. When the bed is finished it should be two or 

 three inches above the normal level. The main secret of successful 

 Rose growing lies in the proper preparation of the bed. 



TIME TO PLANT. Spring is the best time to plant the hybrid 

 teas and teas. If the beds have been carefully prepared the 

 previous Fall, the soil will get into good condition quickly. The 



