Dingee Roses 



The Best Varieties for Different Sections of the Country 



All Dingee Roses are propagated under 

 such favorable conditions that our shibboleth, 

 "Dingee Roses Go and Grow Everywhere," is 

 literally true; but common sense tells us that 

 certain kinds of Roses thrive better in some 

 localities than in others. We are often asked 

 our opinion upon this one point, and in order 

 to give our friends a guide for them to fol- 

 low we have tried to indicate as nearly as 

 possible, in connection with the different 

 classes of Roses, the section of the country in 

 which each will thrive to its full perfection 

 with the least amount of protection. 



But it must not be understood, because 

 we prefer a certain class for one locality, that 

 it will not do well in others. For instance, 

 we recommend all the Hybrid Perpetuals for 

 planting in the extreme northern states and 

 Canada, and yet these same varieties grow 

 to great size and beauty in Florida and Texas. 

 On the other hand, we state that some of the 

 Tea Roses are best for southern planting; but 

 by careful protection they may be grown 

 successfully in Canada. 



WHAT THE TERM The hardiness of any 



"HARDY" MEANS. Rose is a matter which 

 no one can speak of with positive certainty, 

 because the conditions of the winter, as a 

 rule, prescribe the hardiness of the plant. 



Where the winters come on gradually, the 

 plant goes into a semi-dormant state naturally, 

 and if the winter be continuously cold, then 

 the most tender Roses very often survive; 

 but when, as is frequently the case, an unsea- 

 sonable cold snap comes in the early fall, 

 followed again by warm weather, the plant 

 is not sufficiently hardened to withstand the 

 sudden change. If this is followed by what 

 we know as an open winter — periods of severe 

 weather, followed by thawing — it is then that 

 the damage is done, because it keeps the 

 plant between two extremes, injuring not only 

 the young eyes near the roots, but the roots 

 themselves. 



How To Grow Roses 



PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. Good soil 

 is necessary for the proper growing of Roses, 

 and if that at your disposal be naturally poor 

 it will be well to dig out the Rose-beds and 

 substitute a quantity of loam, which can be 

 readily obtained from the sod by the road- 

 side or from the fields. To still further enrich 

 the soil, where it is accessible, add to each 

 wheelbarrow-load of loam about one-third 

 of its bulk of well-rotted stable manure; also 

 some sand, if there be a lack of this con- 

 stituent. Fine-ground bone or commercial 



fertilizers may be employed, but if used too 

 freely they are likely to injure the plants. 

 None but such fertilizers as are free from 

 acids should be used. Manure applied in 

 the fall will serve as a partial protection over 

 winter, and in the spring it will be beneficial 

 as a mulch. An excellent plant-food, which 

 may be used at all times with entire safety, is 

 Bonora offered elsewhere in this book. 



Set the plants about 12 to 18 inches apart. 

 Do not hesitate to place the roots well below 

 the surface of the soil, arranging them as far 

 as possible in their natural position. Cover 

 the roots, pressing firmily down upon them 

 and around the stem. After planting, water 

 freely, and, if the sun be strong, protect them 

 for a few days with a covering of news- 

 papers or other suitable material. Cut off 

 all withered wood and foliage. Water judi- 

 ciously every evening, until they show signs 

 of having become established. Do not plant 

 if the ground is wet, as the soil will become 

 baked, and thus endanger the safety of the 

 plants. During the presence of protracted 

 drought, the plants should be watered daily 

 in the evenings. A little care and forethought 

 exercised when the plants are small will have 

 their reward in great, sturdy, vigorous 

 bushes in a wonderfully short time. 



UNPACKING PLANTS. When the plants 

 are received, if, for any reason, it is desired 

 to defer immediate planting, place the plants 

 in the cellar or any moderately warm place, 

 protect from the sun, set them upright, admit- 

 ting the free circulation of air, and water 

 freely from time to time. A slight covering 

 of soil around the roots will be beneficial. 

 Soak the roots in lukewarm water or thin 

 mud for an hour or so before planting, to 

 restore their vitality. 



PLANTING. The proper time for planting 

 in the various sections of the country largely 

 depends first, upon the location, and, second, 

 upon the character of the plant. 



As to where the preference lies between 

 plants that are pot-grown under glass, and 

 dormant, field-grown plants, it is not easy 

 to discriminate. Our own experience has 

 been that in the southern and southwestern 

 states, as well as on the Pacific coast, the 

 planting of the one-year-old Roses during the 

 months of February, March and April, accord- 

 ing to the location, may be accomplished with 

 splendid satisfaction. In the states north of 

 Virginia, and even in the greater portion of 

 Virginia, and throughout the middle section 

 of the country, as well as in the states in the 

 northwest, the best time to plant is during 



