ROSES 



true that old roses that is to say, those that have grown 

 into big bushes may often be rejuvenated by trans- 

 planting in better soil and by hard pruning, but when 

 roses become decrepit it is far better to throw them away 

 and put in fresh ones. Climbing roses recover in a 

 remarkable manner if, when they are unsatisfactory, they 

 are taken up and replanted in prepared soil, and all shoots 

 are cut down to within a few inches of the ground. In- 

 variably a number of vigorous new shoots form that will 

 blossom the following year, and the plant enters upon a 

 new lease of life. 



A great mystery seems to possess rose growing in the 

 eyes of the beginner, but let him not be disheartened by 

 the mass of apparently intricate details that encompass 

 the subject, for they serve only to cloak a very simple 

 issue namely, that rose growing is actually as easy as 

 ABC, providing one does the right thing at the right 

 time. Let us see what are the right things to do and 

 when they should be done. Early autumn, October, is 

 perhaps rather a depressing season for the budding rose- 

 grower to make a start, but, it is then that the initial 

 preparation in plainer language, digging is done. Any 

 soil that is rather clayey will grow first rate roses if 

 it is dug 2 feet deep and if 8 ounces of basic slag are 

 mixed with every square yard of ground. Basic slag 

 is a valuable artificial fertiliser, of which amateurs cannot 

 be too strongly advised to make good use. If one can 

 obtain rotted manure from the farmyard, and use this 

 H 97 



