THE AMATEUR'S ROSE GARDEN 103 



wet when the plants arrive they should be unpacked 

 in a cool place, away from the wind, and if only a 

 day or two is to elapse they need only be taken from 

 the packages and stood upright on a table or in a box, 

 setting the plants close together but with the tops 

 uncovered. Generally roses reach one in excellent 

 condition, the earth on the roots intact and the moss 

 and paper quite damp; if in this condition nothing 

 more will be required, but if somewhat dry the tops 

 should be sprayed, allowing the water to run down 

 inside the papers. If very dry it will be best to im- 

 merse the roots in lukewarm water until well soaked. 

 Plants which come by mail with all earth removed 

 should not be put at once in the open ground, but 

 should be potted oflE in small pots not over three 

 inches and allowed to rest and recover before plant- 

 ing. As a general thing roses will need no protection 

 when planted out in early spring, but if there is much 

 hot sun a screen on the west is beneficial and can be 

 supplied by driving two or three stakes along the rows 

 and tacking a strip of matting or burlap to them. 

 This will protect from the sun without depriving 

 the plants of air. 



Any bruised or broken roots should be removed with 

 a sharp knife, and any broken or straggly branches, 

 but the majority of roses will need little pruning. 



Only roses on their own roots should ever be pur- 



