BEST PLANTS FOR GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE. 



115 



<x\ THE ^ CULTIVATION ^ OF ^ ROSES. I> 



IN submitting our revised list of Roses to our friends and customers, we feel justified in saying that our plants tliis season are 

 the largest and finest we have ever offered ; the flattering letters received from many of our patrons, as to the satisfactory 

 results oljtained from stock purchased of us, have made us feel that our efforts to send out good and reliable plants are 

 appreciated. 



The young Roses that have been propagated during the winter from healthy parentage are planted out in April or May in 

 ground which has been deeply plowed, as well as liberally manured, where they are cultivated until early in November, when the 

 plants are carefully lifted, potted and stored during the winter in cold houses at our Riverton Nursery, as shown in illustration. 

 Pot^grown plants of sorts best suited to this method are also cultivated at our Riverton establishment, and stored away during the 

 winter in Rose pits. 



This treatment is especially desirable for plants in- 

 tended for out-door planting ; it gives the Roses their 

 natural season of rest, enables the grower to plant early 

 in the spring before the foliage develops, and places 

 them in a condition for starting off vigorously and natu- 

 rally, thus avoiding the risk of diseases that attack plants 

 grown in high temperature in forcing houses. 



This treatment we find specially adapted for Hybrid 

 Perpetual Roses, as we are enabled to furnish our cus- 

 tomers plants that will bloom when set out in the open 

 ground, which by the old method was nearly an impos- 

 sibility, as the high temperature, unavoidable where fire 



heat was used, pushed them mto bloom before it was Sectional View of Rose Pits without Fire Heat. 



safe to plant out-of-doors. Roses taken from a high 

 temperature and subjected to the cool night air of the early spring months are invariably checked and the flowers ruined. 



^VINTER FORCING. 



Voung plants of the tea varieties may be planted on the benches between May and October in 6 inches of soil ihat has lieen 

 specially prepared from sod taken from old pasture lands. No fertilizing material is given until the plants become well established. 

 The best material for a stimulant is liquid manure, made from cow manure or guano, the latter to be applied carefully, say every 

 week. Bone dust worked into the soil is a good fertilizer and lasting in ils effect. By this method of growing the flowers attain 

 large size and perfect coloring. The old way of growing the plants into large size before planting on the benches is still practiced 

 by many and fine blooms obtained, though by using small plants as indicated less labor is required with equally good results. 



Unceasing care is necessary that the proper degree of fertility and moisture is kept up, and that the temperature is not allowed 

 to fall to the point where the plants will be chilled and subjected to an attack of mildew. 



GARDBN CULTIVATION. 



Preparation of tlie G-rouild. — Roses will grow in any fertile ground, but are much improved in bloom, fragrance and 

 beauty by rich soil, liberal manuring, and good cultivation. The ground should be subsoiled and well spaded to the depth of o 

 foot or more, and enriched by digging in a good coat of cow manure or any fertilizing material that may be convenient. Renew 

 old beds by decayed sods taken from old pasture land. 



Planting". — When the ground is thoroughly prepared — fine and in nice condliion — put in the plant slightly deeper than it 

 was before, spread the roots out evenly in their natural position, and cover them with fine earth, taking care to draw it closelv 

 around the stem, and pack firmly down with the hand. It is very important that the earth be tightly firmed down on the roots. 

 Budded Roses should be planted three inches below the bud. Always choose the most favorable time for planting in your own 

 locality. Roses can be planted as soon as convenient after the frost is over. They can be sent with entire safety, regardless of 

 the season. Always select an open, sunny place, exposed to full light and air. Roses appear to best advantage when planted in 

 beds or masses. 



Watering". — If the ground is dry when planted, water thoroughly after planting, so as to soak the earth down below the 

 roots, and, if hot or windy, it may be well to shade for a few days. After this not much water is required unless the weather is 

 unusually dry. Plants will not thrive if kept too wet and without dminage. 



Pruning". — In most seasons it is best to prune established plants of hardy kinds in March. Tender varieties (such as the 

 Tea Roses) and newly planted Roses may be left till a month Inter. As a general rule close pruning produces quality, and long 

 pruning quantity of bloom. Climbing, Weeping and Pillar Roses should not be cut back; but the tips of the shoots only should 

 be taken off, and anv vveak or unripe shoots cut out altogether. 



FAI.I. AKO WINTER TREATMENT. 



Fall Treatment. — In the fall the Rose beds should have a good dressing of stable manure, or any fertilizing material that 

 is convenient. The winter rains will carry the strength down to the roots, and the remaining matter makes a nice mulch, which 

 in many places is all the protection that is necessary. In very cold localities it is a good plan to cover the beds all over with old 

 sods, fresh earth, or coal ashes, from three to six inches deep. Where the winters are not very severe tender Roses may be nicely 

 covered with clean Rye straw, forest leaves, or evergreen branches, but care must be taken not to put it on too thick ; the cover- 

 ing should permit considerable circulation of air, and should not retain water; and nothing should be used that will ferment, heat 

 or rot. The object of covering is not to keep the plants warm, but to break the force of sudden and violent changes, particularly 

 in March, when the plants should be protected from the s!cn, rather than co/i/; the sudden thawing of the frozen wood doing the 

 damage. 



Winter Treatment. — Whatever covering is used, it should not be put on till late in the season, when the plants are vveli 

 matured and severe weather close at hand; moderate freezing is not injurious. It should be understood that a certain degree of 

 growth and development is necessary to enable even Hardy Roses and plants to bear Northern winters. If newly planted just 

 before cold weather, they cannot bear the winter; they must be planted early enough in the season to make considerable growth 

 and get well established before cold weather begins, otherwise they will most likely be winter-killed, in spite of any protection 

 that can be given. In places where the winters are not more severe than at Philadelphia, many varieties of the Ever- Blooming 

 Roses are nearly hardy, and we think the best way to treat them is to leave all in open ground, and give whatever covering may 

 be convenient. Experience proves that the loss will be as light in this way as any other, and it is much the least trouble. 



W^hen to Uncover. — Do not uncover in the spring till frost has left the ground and there is a prospect of reasonably set- 

 tled weather. When uncovered the plants should be carefully pruned, and the beds dug and raked. 



