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How to Grow ^^Dingee Roses^^ 



LL 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 follow 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 perfec- 

 tion 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 the same va- 

 rieties 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 success- 

 fully in Canada. 



Preparation of Beds 



The way to get the best results from Roses when 

 planted in beds is to make a trench to a depth of 

 15 to 18 inches, that is, the soil should be removed 

 to that depth, well pulverized and mixed with from 

 one-third to one-fourth its bulk with well-rotted 

 animal manure, cow stable manure preferable where 

 it can be obtained. Before filling in the bed it is 

 well to put in some material for drainage, such as 

 soft coal cinders, broken crockery or stones, not too 

 large. Then return the soil to the trench, and when 

 returned it should stand from 3 to 4 inches higher 

 than the surrounding ground, as it will quickly 

 settle below the surface. It is necessary to do this, 

 in order that the rain water will drain quickly away 

 from the bed. If, however, the soil you remove 

 from the trench is not the bets Rose soil, as the 

 best kind of soil for Roses is a cla3'ey loam, if your 

 soil does not contain this it can be improved by 

 mixing in sods from the roadside or fields, but if 

 your soil is too heavy it should be lightened with a 

 portion of sand. The soil before returning to the 

 trench should be well pulverized, that is, make it 

 as fine as possible, and also the manure should be 

 pulverized and not left in chunks if you wish to ob- 

 tain the_ best results. The selection of your bed is 

 a very important matter. Roses thrive best where 

 they can secure all the sun possible, that is, do not 

 plant them close to trees or shrubbery, as the roots 

 of these extend farther than the branches. Select,, 

 if possible, an open situation, where the plants will 

 receive plenty of air and sunshine. It is not, how- 

 ever, necessary that they should receive sunshine 

 the entire day. A southeastern exposure is an ideal 

 one. They will, however, do well in other locations 

 if given the necessary care. Roses do better if they 

 are watered in the morning. 



Fertilizer 



This is a question we are frequently requested to 

 answer. Animal manure from one to two years old 



where it can be obtained is the best. Cow manure 

 is generally preferred, and can be used in fresh coji- 

 dition. Horse manure when new is very heating 

 and should not be used while in this condition, ex- 

 cept as a winter mulch. Hog, sheep and chicken 

 manure are also very useful. The last two, how- 

 ever, should be used sparingly. Ground bone is 

 beneficial, but should be secured as fine as possible, 

 and it shoud be used sparingly. The best method 

 is sprinkling a portion over the bed until the ground 

 is entirely covered, then with the use of a fork it 

 can be dug into the soil and thoroughly mixed. 

 Air slaked lime is also beneficial, about a cupful to 

 a plant scattered on the surface in early spring and 

 mid-summer. A mulching of cow stable manure is 

 very beneficial during the growing season. It helps 

 to retain the moisture during the dry season, as 

 well as a food for the roots. 



Planting 



As soon as the plants are received it is best to 

 immediately plant, yet if it is impossible to do this 

 the plant should be placed in a cellar or moderately 

 warm place and protected from the sun. Set them 

 upright to admit the free circulation of air. When 

 you receive them the\' will be wrapped in Sphagnum 

 Moss, which should be removed before planting, as 

 it is used only for protection. Water freely from 

 time to time. The roots should be covered with 

 soil or burlap and never allowed to become dry. 

 Soaking the roots in lukewarm water or thin mud 

 for an hour or two before planting to restore their 

 vitality is beneficial. Do not set the plants too shal- 

 low. They should be planted deeper than they were 

 growing in the pots before shipping. This can 

 easily be determined b}- an examination of the plant. 

 The roots of the plants should be spread out and 

 not cramped. If you receive them with the soil on 

 the roots in which they have been growing, do not 

 remove this soil, but simply loosen it if packed in a 

 hard ball. Give them as near a natural position as 

 possible. Use plenty of water after planting and 

 shade for a few days if the sun is hot. with news- 

 paper or similar material, and if the season is a dry 

 one an occasional watering will be beneficial. The 

 best time to plant Roses such as we send out, 

 being pot-grown, own-root stock, is in early spring. 

 This refers entirely to pot-grown plants and not 

 dormant plants. Bv dormant plants we mean field- 

 grown, that is, lifted from the field and have not 

 made any growth whatever. Such plants as these 

 shoud be set out earlier than pot-grown plants. 



Pruning 



As a rule the Ro?es that we send out do not need 

 any pruning, being pot-grown plants. However, if 

 the bushes are more spreading than is desired it 

 does not injure the plant any to prune it back. This 

 applies only to the i)ot-grown plants. Where dor- 

 mant or field-grown plants are secured they should 

 be pruned back before planting. Pruning can be 

 done at any season of the year with a certain class 

 of Roses, but it is a matter to be governed bv the 

 judgment of the possessor of the plants. The best 



