ROSES 217 



The other roses may be kept in the ground year after year. 

 Yet some growers lift them every three, four, or five years, 

 prune root and top, and replant in fresh earth. 



It is something of a question where to get one's roses. It 

 is simple, but expensive, to buy them. Two-year roots are 

 the best. Or roses of any kind can be grown from cuttings, 

 as described in an earlier chapter. Again, if a branch be 

 bent to the ground and then bent upwards, cutting or break- 

 ing the bark on the under side, it will, if buried at the break, 

 held in place, and kept watered, strike strong roots. When 

 cut away from the old plant, it can be planted anywhere. 



If plants are bought, they should be "on their own roots." 

 Grafted plants often give the loveliest flowers, but they are 

 very troublesome on account of strong suckers that start 

 from the root, and which must be cut out. 



As roses do not do well in a sandy soil, the best earth for 

 them is a clayey loam. And since roses, though so lovely, 

 are among the greediest of flowers, they need to be very 

 well fed. Very well-rotted manure (cow manure is best) 

 should be mixed freely with the loam. Bone-meal is also 

 a good fertilizer, both mixed with the soil before planting, 

 and used as a top-dressing two or three times during the sea- 

 son. The soil should be well drained, for water standing 

 at the roots will soon kill roses. 



Roses should be set in soil that is as deep as one can afford. 

 Two feet is not too much, and at least a foot is necessary. 

 Plants should not be crowded, and should be given two feet 

 of space, unless the varieties are very small. Roses do not 

 like to be near other plants, and this is why they are usu- 

 ally grown in beds of their own. 



Finally, roses like a little shade each day. Set them, if 

 you can, where they will not get the full heat of the after- 

 noon sun. 



