ROSES 89 



Rose is more accommodating, for it will bloom either in sun 

 or shade. 



Of late years the China Rose has been wisely used by 

 hybridists, whose labours have given us charming Roses that 

 inherit the long-blooming qualities of the parent. 



Green Centres in Roses. Beginners are often perplexed as to 

 why their Roses should come with green centres. The most common 

 cause of this troublesome occurrence is spring frosts. At pruning time, 

 especially when the season is early, one is tempted to leave young 

 promising growths, but unfortunately the frost comes and so injures 

 the embryo buds that these green centres are the result. Another 

 cause is over-feeding with chemical manures. The remedy in both cases 

 is obvious. 



WORK MONTH BY MONTH 



The Rose is a flower so popular and beautiful that the work required 

 amongst the plants month by month will prove helpful to the beginner. 



JANUARY. On established Rose-beds strong liquid manure may 

 be poured. Standard briars may still be planted if weather is mild. 

 Indoors, the borders or large tubs of permanent Roses should receive 

 a top dressing. Remove 2 or 3 inches of the old soil, scatter on some 

 good artificial manure, then replace soil removed with fibrous loam and 

 well-rotted manure in equal parts. If borders are dry, give a good 

 watering first. 



FEBRUARY. If farmyard manure be applied to the beds this should 

 now be dug in. Do not dig very deeply, just enough to bury the dung. 

 The surface of the Rose-beds should also be loose. This is not a hard 

 matter to secure if the hoe be diligently used. Planting may still be 

 done if mild and dwarf stocks for budding should now be set out. The 

 stocks are better heeled in if frosty, for the frost only draws them out of 

 the soil and practically kills them. So when cold weather threatens 

 wait for milder days. Give the beds of established Roses a dressing of 

 manure ; keep the surface soil loose so that rains will wash down the 

 nutriment. If the appearance of manure is objected to cover it with 

 soil. Artificial manures are a great aid in developing good blooms. 

 The cheapest and one of the best for this purpose is basic slag, which 

 should be applied early in winter at the rate of 4 to 8 ounces per 

 square yard. 



Cuttings inserted in autumn will require pushing down, as the frost 

 usually raises them, and unless their ends rest on the soil failures will 

 occur. Hoe the cutting beds when necessary. Pruning should be done 

 now to plants upon walls ; this will merely consist in tipping the ends 

 of shoots, for the thinning should have been done in autumn. Release 

 the growths from the wall to retard them as much as possible. If they 

 break too early much disappointment occurs through injury by spring 



