THE BEST PLANTS FOR GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE. 95 
ica iy ATO OF ROSES: 
p submitting our revised list of Roses to our friends and customers, we feel justified in saying that our plants 
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this season are the largest and finest we have ever offered; the flattering letters received from many of our 
patrons, as to the satisfactory results obtained 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 culti- 
vated at our Riverton establishment, and 
stored away during the winter in Rose pits. 
This treatment is especially desirable 
for plants intended 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 naturally, thus avoiding 
the risk of diseases that attack plants 
grown in high temperature in forcing 
GENE 


houses. : oF id =| 
This treatment we find specially adapted LUELLA GY e 
for Hybrid Perpetual Roses, as we are en- CELEZETAE: i= Kh RAMAN = 
abled to furnish our customers plants that SrctionaL View oF Rose Pits witnour Fire Hear. 
will bloom when set out in the open ‘ 
ground, which by the old method was nearly an impossibility, as the high temperature, unavoidable where fire heat 
was used, pushed them into bloom before it was 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. 
WINTER FORCING. 
Young plants of the tea varieties may be planted on the benches between May and October in 6 invhes of soil that: 
has been 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 its 
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. : 
GARDEN CULTIVATION. 
Preparation of the Ground.—Roses will grow in any fertile ground, but are much improved in bloom, fra- 
grance and beauty by rich soil, liberal manuring, and good cultivation. The ground should be subsoiled and well 
spaded to the depth of a 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 condition—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 closely 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 be- 
low 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 drainage. 
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 later. As a general rule close pruning produces: 
uality, 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 any weak or unripe shoots cut out altogether. 
FALL AND 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 covering 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 swn, rather than cold ; 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 well 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. 
When to Uncover.—Do not uncover in the spring till frost has left the ground and there is a prospect of reason-- 
ably settled weather. When uncovered the plants should be carefully pruned, and the beds dug and raked. 
