20 



HOW TO GROW ROSES 



Planting 



When ready to plant, remember again that roots must be 

 kept from the wind. Spring winds are so drying that fatal 

 damage may occur from a few minutes of exposure. The 

 best plan, when planting, is to keep the roots covered with a 

 damp piece of burlap, or of other packing-material. 



Next make the holes in the bed, which should have been 

 prepared as shown on page 15, and make them large enough 

 to accommodate the roots in a natural and uncramped posi- 

 tion, neither too deep nor too shallow (see illustration). Do 

 not spread the roots out flat, but point them down, slanting 

 outward. Use care to keep the roots from direct contact 

 with the manure, lest the roses get indigestion. It is a good 

 plan to dip the roots, before planting, in a thin mud made 

 by mixing loam or clay with water. Settle well-pulverized 

 soil in around the roots, so as to fill up every air-space, and 

 so that every single root shall be entirely encased in soil. 

 When the hole is half-filled, and roots covered, press the 

 soil down firmly with the hands ; then fill the hole with water, 

 and let it drain away; fill in level with soil, and tamp it care- 

 fully but securely; then give a final covering of soil, which 

 should be about level with the surrounding turf, but not 

 high enough to let the water run away when it rains. Also 

 protect from the bright sunshine for a few days. 



Too deep 



Too shallow, and 

 set wrong 



Just right 



Right, and banked 

 for winter 



