IS^ M«Lb ^ Mo^r(S^, 



lea 



to donate these valuables to your pile. Place the 

 compost far enough from the house, so you won't 

 bother about the sanitary problem, and every few 

 weeks spade a few shovelfuls of earth over the whole 

 pile. After a year's mellowing you will have some- 

 thing more valuable than manure to work into .your 

 rose beds. 



Dig continually about the roses, with pronged 

 spade, being careful not to tear the roots. The soil 

 should always be kept loose if you would be spared 

 the bugbear of watering. Mulch with lawn clip- 

 pings, spading old supply under when the fresh is 

 ready. Spray once a week with a water made foamy 

 by tobacco and sulphur soap. You will not van- 

 quish the insects — no, not in this world, but even 

 abating them is a human triumph. 



About the middle of November purchase rye straw 

 in bundles and after tying your rose bushes gently 

 to a firm stake, sheathe the straw about the hybrid 

 teas and plain teas, not too tightly, tying in about 

 three places. The hybrid perpetuals may go nude 

 all winter. Take a trip to the West Indies or Sicily 

 about the middle of March so you may avoid the un- 

 conquerable temptation to uncover your roses too 

 soon. Return about the second week of April, dis- 



83 



