Tie the plant as closely to the stake 

 as possible {not the stake to the plant), 

 about three inches from the level of the bed, 

 also at the middle and at the top about one inch 

 below the bud. The stake should be long enough 

 to extend an inch above the bud for standard roses, 

 as they are top heavy and require firm staking 

 for support. By all means use narrow tape for 

 tying the plants to the stakes. Tape remains tied, 

 while I find raffia and soft binders' cord does 

 not, and the first rain will shrink the tape, 

 securely tightening the knot. The tape should be 

 dipped in a brown or green "diamond" dye, 

 making it less obtrusive than it would be in 

 its natural color. 



WATERING 



The tirrie to water is in the early morning, 

 never in the heat of the day, never at mid- day, 

 or even in the early afternoon. There is only one 

 way to water our rose beds, and that is to give 

 them a thorough soaking once a week or ten days. 

 But it must be a thorough soaking, and when I 

 say soaking, /meanyus^ //la/— surface watering does 

 more harm than good. The roots naturally grow 

 downward, but if the garden receives only surface 



M 



