PLANT DEPARTMENT. 



99 



RIVERTON FORCING HOUSES FOR WINTER BLOOM. 



The illustration shows the style of houses now 

 generally adopted for this cultivation. Young 

 plants of the tea varieties are planted on the 

 benches between May and October in 6 inches of 

 soil that has been specially prepared from sod taken 

 from old pasture lands ; good drainage is put in the 

 bottom, and no fertilizing material given until the 

 plants become well established. The best material 

 for a stimulant and food 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. 



In houses of this character the Roses attain the 

 highest results in regard to quantity and quality of 

 bloom. It is a matter of great importance that the 

 quality should be as high as possible when competi- 

 tion is expected ; for Roses that five years ago would 

 have been considered fine, are now almost valueless 

 when placed alongside of such magnificent blooms 

 as are daily ofl'ered by leading florists. Such sorts 

 as Catherine Mermet,' Coruelia Cook, Wm. Francis 

 Bennett, Sunset, Perlc des Jardins, and Bon Silene 

 have displaced the leading kinds of a few years ago, 

 and are grown to an enormous size, with all their 

 exquisite'tints and delightful fragrance brought up 

 to a remarkable state of excellence. 



In order to accomplish such results unceasing care is necessary, that, the proper degrees of fertility 

 kept up, and that the temperature is not allowed to fall to the point where the plants will be chilled 

 an attack of mildew, as mildewed plants will not produce fine bloom. 



Sectional View of Fokcing House. 



and 

 and 



moisture are 

 subjected to 



HOW TO GROW ROSES SUCCESSFULLY IN THE GARDEN. 



A Rose Garden forms a beautiful appendage to any regular garden, and so varied are the characters of the different 

 floral groups which belong to the genus Rosa, that there need be no tameness or monotony in it. Plans may be varied 

 ad infinitum to meet the shape of the ground at command or the desires of the proprietor. 



Preparation of the Ground. — Roses will grow in any fertile ground, but are much improved in abundance of 

 bloom, fragrance 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 fer- 

 tilizing material that may be convenient. Renew old beds by decayed sods taken from old pasture land. 



How to Plant. — 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. 



When to Plant. — 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, and we can send the plains with entire safety, whenever they are desired. 



We will book orders to be sent whenever wanted. 



Where to Plant. — Always select an open, sunny place, exposed to full light and air; roses appear to best advan- 

 tage when planted in beds or masses. 



W r hen to Water. — 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 drainage. 



When to Prune. — In most seasons it is best to prune established plants of hardy kinds in March. Tender varie- 

 ties (such as the Tea Roses) and newly planted roses may be left till a month later. As a general rule close pruning 

 produces quality, and long pruning quantity of bloom. Climbing, Weeping, and Pillar Roses should not be cutback ; 

 but the tips of the shoots only should be taken off", and any weak or unripe shoots cut out altogether. 



WINTER PROTECTION OF ROSES. 



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 con- 

 siderable 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, particu- 

 larly in March, when the plants should be protected from the sun rather than cold; the sudden thawing of the frozen 

 wood doing the damage. 



Do not Cover too soon. — 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. 



Newly Planted Roses not Hardy. — 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. 



The Best Way. — 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, taking care to remove all dead wood, 

 and the beds should be nicely dug over and raked. 



