32 



BULB AND PLANT BOOK 



GROUP IV— THE ROSE 



"Then took the generous host 

 A basket filled with roses; 

 Every guest 

 Cried, 'Give me roses,' 

 And thus the garden's favorite is the rose." 



The rose has been called the Queen of Flowers. Its beauty and fragrance are well known. Practically every 

 home has at least one rose bush and when we create a flower-garden we never forget to include them. 



Now, Rose Gardens are frequently seen and the rose is truly Queen and all else excluded. 



So, in planting save a place for a rose. They should be in a bed to themselves where sunshine and moisture is 

 abundant. Trees prevent their growth due to excessive shade and extensive root system. Do not plant against the 

 foundation of a house as the foundation radiates heat and the plants will lack suflBcient moisture. 



Our list of roses is not meant ato be complete nor to include novelties. We have selected those varieties that we 

 consider best as regards hardiness and free blooming qualities. We might call them "experienced roses," for they 

 have experienced the test of time. 



PREPARATION OF SOIL 



The ideal soil for roses is a clay loam. The ideal fertilizer is cow-manure. 



Where best results are desired the beds should be "trenched" to a depth of 18 inches, i. e., the soil should be 

 removed to that depth and thoroughly mixed with rotted manure — one part manure to three parts soil — and returned 

 to the bed. 



TOP PRUNING 



Roses should be cut back severely when first set out. On the average the strongest growths should be left 7 

 inches long an^ the weaker about 3-4 inches. From 3-5 upright branches should be retained, the rest cut off. 



PLANTING 



Fairly deep planting is recommended. If the plant is budded on wild rose stock, it should be planted so that 

 the junction of the bud with the stock will be two inches below the level of the soil. The roots should be spread 

 out, fine soil worked in around them and the ground pressed firmly about the plant with the foot. 



WATERING 



If the soil is moist no watering is necessary until growth begins. 



MULCHING 



Bush roses generally need protection throughout the winter. A good plan is to mound the earth about 8 inches 

 high around each plant late in November. The valleys between the plants can be filled with stable manure. This 

 both protects and fertilizes. As soon as the frost is out of the ground the covering should be gradually removed. 



