KOSA 



ROSE OBDEB 



KOSA 383 



When trenching or digging Eose beds, 

 about w to 1 lb. of basic slag to the square 

 yard may be added to the soU and well 

 mixed with it. In ground that has been 

 well dunged, a sprmkling of lime on the 

 surface about November will be bene- 

 ficial not only in liberating potash foods, 

 hui also in keeping the soil from souring 

 and by acting as a check on slugs and 

 other vermin. The addition of soot to 

 the lime is an excellent practice. 



Liquid manure and watering. — 

 Perhaps the best and safest consists of 

 horse or cow manm-e and soot made up 

 in a tub or tank. Clean water diluted 

 with this to the colour of pale ale may be 

 given to the plants occasionally, say two or 

 three times a week. Care must be taken, 

 however, not to apply strong liquid 

 manure in hot dry weather, unless the 

 plants have previously had an application 

 of clear water. The reason for this is that 

 the thirsty roots woxild absorb the manurial 

 matters too greedily and thus do the plants 

 more harm than good. By first of all 

 giving clear water, the roots absorb enough 

 to fill the tissues of the plants, and when 

 the liquid manure is given it is taken up 

 in only small and beneficial quantities. 



During the flowering period, one 

 ounce of nitrate of potash and one ounce 

 of phosphate of potash to one gallon of 

 water makes a good stimulant for outdoor 

 plants, but for plants in pots the same 

 quantity of manure should have at least 

 twice as much water. If the i-eader uses 

 these manures, it will be wise to experi- 

 ment with smaller doses than above 

 prescribed, in case of causing injury ; 

 and when watering always soak the 

 soil thoroughly, as merely wetting the 

 surface is worse than useless. 



Mulching and Hoeing. — In dry 

 seasons, and especially in light soils, it is 

 necessary to keep as much moisture in 

 the soil as possible. A good mulching of 

 cow manure, or even rotted leaves, not 

 only retards excessive evaporation of 

 moisture from the soil, but also prevents 

 it being cracked and baked hard by the 

 sun. Next to a good mulching with 

 manure, the surface of the soil to the 

 depth of an inch or two should be well 

 hoed, the fine soil thus acting as a mulch, 

 and checking evaporation. 



Planting. — November is the best time 

 for planting Eoses. The ground should 

 have been well dug and manured pre- 

 viously, and should be in a good friable 



condition — neither wet and sticky, nor 

 dry and dusty. A mild day should be 

 chosen. The plants shoiild be placed in 

 the soU just deep enough to give the roots 

 a firm hold, taking care to spread these 

 out well, so that the soil gets in easily 

 between the fibres. The soil should be 

 trodden down firmly, but no manure should 

 be put in direct contact with the roots. 

 A layer, however, may be placed round 

 the stem after planting to act as a mulch 

 and a protection from frost at the same 

 time. Dwarf or bush Eoses should be 

 about 12-15 in. apart, with 2 feet between 

 the rows, and require no stakes ; but 

 standards or half-standards should have a 

 stout stake attached at the time of plant- 

 ing to prevent injury from strong winds. 



The diagram at p. 1032 will give an 

 idea of the way in which not only Eoses 

 but other trees and bushes should be 

 planted. The future success of a plant 

 often depends upon whether it has been 

 planted properly or not. 



Before actually planting it is wise to 

 carefuUy examine each plant, cutting 

 away any injured roots. The branches 

 also, if long and vigorous, may each be 

 cut back to 3 or 4 ' eyes ' or buds, leaving 

 the one next the cut pointing outwards. 

 Some disagree with pruning at planting 

 time, but there are sound physiological 

 reasons for it, in addition to the fact that 

 some of the most successful growers 

 practise it. 



As soon as possible after arrival the 

 plants should be put in the soU. If they 

 appear dried up or withered, a good 

 watering all over wiU do them good ; or 

 they may be buried completely in the soil 

 for a few days, when they will recover 

 their plumpness. In the event of frosty 

 weather, it is better to dig a trench, into 

 which the plants may be put and have 

 their roots covered with soil untU planting 

 time. 



Roses on their oivn Soots. — Of late 

 years there has been a demand for Eoses 

 on their own roots, instead of those which 

 are usually budded or grafted. They 

 may be a little more difficult to establish 

 than others, but when once in a suitable 

 position they grow well and have the 

 great advantage of not being weakened 

 by the strong suckers of ruder sorts. 

 When purchased from the ground they 

 may be planted in November, as recom- 

 mended for the others ; but if in pots, as 

 they usually are, the best time to plant 



