NEW GUIDE TO ROSE CULTURE. 



9 



Winter.... 

 protection 



This is not deemed of so much 

 importance as formerly, as 

 plants that fail to survive, or 

 whose vitality has been im- 

 paired by the rigor of Winter, can now be replaced 

 so readily and at such trifling expense that it is 

 thought by many scarcely worth the time and 

 trouble involved to secure their preservation. 



Each Fall a large percentage of our correspond- 

 ence with customers in all parts of the country 

 has reference to the hardiness of the different 

 varieties of Roses received from us. To those of 

 our customers and friends who have not been 

 properly informed, a few remarks will suffice. 



Among the numerous types contained in the 

 lists of Teas, China, Bourbon, Noisette and Poly- 

 antha classes, we would not be warranted in say- 

 ing that any particular variety was absolutely 

 hardy. In this respect they represent all shades 

 of differences, so that it is impossible to deter- 

 mine with any degree of certainty, especially 

 when extreme climatic and other conditions have 

 to be taken into account. 



It is obvious, then, that in order to Winter your 

 collection of Roses securely the safe plan would 

 be to claim the benefit of the doubt and give 

 them all liberal shelter. This may be done with 

 the material most conveniently at hand, such as 

 leaves, hay, straw, light manures, street sweep- 

 ings, pine or cedar boughs, etc. ; corn-fodder 

 stacked over the beds affords an excellent protec- 

 tion. Do not cover the beds or clumps until 

 Winter has fairly set in, and be careful that, 

 whatever the material used, it shall admit the 

 air freely and not be allowed to become sodden, 

 nor to decay or ferment. When standing alone, 

 Roses may be protected by driving a stake along- 

 side the stem ; the plant should be firmly fastened 

 to this, place long straw neatly around and tie 

 with cord to hold in position. Another plan is 

 to place an old truck barrel over the bush, filling 

 loosely with leaves or straw, displacing some of 

 the staves so as not to exclude the air. Hardy 

 Climbers, Hybrid Teas, Hybrid Perpetual and 

 Moss Roses need no protection. 



If it is thought desirable or more convenient, 

 Roses may be cut back about one-third and taken 

 up at the approach of Winter before the ground 

 freezes, placed in shallow boxes in the cellar and 

 the roots covered with moist earth, in which sit- 

 uation they should be watered sparingly, just suf- 

 ficient to keep the soil damp. If treated properly 

 they should be in excellent condition for trans- 

 planting in the Spring. 



^TbC IlltilitV) ^ e are consc i° us °f the pres- 

 f rf, *- ! ence of a large class of persons 



Ot ITlOWeCg. I to whom the problem of life 

 and its functions all resolve 

 themselves into a question of mere utility. We are 

 met at the outset with the query, " Of what use is 

 this, that or the other ? " A happy retort is found 

 in the comprehensive language of William Cob- 

 bett : " Of what use is anything? " As a matter 

 of fact civilization and refinement are attained by 

 a sacrifice of many primitive enjoyments peculiar 

 to the life of the savage. Our age, our impulses 

 and our self- respect require that we shall surround 

 ourselves, as far as possible, with the evidences of 

 modern progress and refinement, with everything 

 that contributes to the happiness and comfort of 

 ourselves and those dependent upon us. 



What more charming and refreshing sight can 

 be imagined than a modest cottage embowered in 

 a labyrinth of climbing Roses and Vines ; its fore- 

 yard with its neatly clipped sward ; its beds and 

 borders of fragrant flowers and foliage plants 



interspersed with tastefully arranged groups of 

 dwarf Ornamental Shrubbery? Or, in the absence 

 of yard, a window garden with its wealth of at- 

 tractive verdure? Is not its influence on the 

 home life exalting, appealing as it does to the 

 artistic sense which unconsciously tends to the 

 formation and development of character? Does 

 it not afford a healthful recreation for the leisure 

 moments, especially for those engaged in seden- 

 tary pursuits, and at the same time rewarding the 

 outlay of effort and money many times by the 

 enhanced value resulting thereby? Surely, here 

 the argument of the Utilitarian counts for noth- 

 ing ! 



There is nothing that will so contribute to the 

 enjoyment and contentment of the family as well- 

 ordered home surroundings ; it bespeaks for the 

 possessors a degree of intelligence and culture 

 which tend to increase their usefulness and in- 

 fluence as factors in the social life with which 

 they are identified. The instincts once aroused 

 to the extrinsic charm and beauty of the count- 

 less objects which have been fashioned by the 

 divine creative hand of Nature, life becomes 

 invested with new charms, interests and possi- 

 bilities. 



At the present day plants are so inexpensive, 

 so easily obtained, and the many improved strains 

 so desirable, that it is within the means of all to 

 possess at least a few with which to embellish 

 their homes. If properly cared for, Roses will 

 subsist for many years to gladden the home 

 circle by their cheering presence with each return 

 of the happy June days. W T e have dwelt on this 

 subject somewhat at length, because we should 

 like to see our famous Roses gracing the home 

 of every citizen of this favored land. Will you 

 embrace the opportunity afforded? If not, why 

 not? 



(Seneral... 

 IRemarfts. 



Our Roses are all grown at our 

 establishment here, on their 

 own roots, from cuttings, in 

 pots, under glass, in ordinary 

 field-soil and at a natural temperature of 50 to 75 

 degrees, no stimulating fertilizers or heat being 

 applied at any stage of their development to ac- 

 celerate their growth. They are inspected from 

 time to time and all inferior specimens rejected. 

 The results of this original method of propaga- 

 tion and treatment is to impart a healthy con- 

 stitution, which insures vigor and vitality of 

 subsequent growth. They are all on their own 

 roots, and in transplanting these roots are pre- 

 served intact, so that temporary arrest of growth 

 ife reduced to a minimum. They may be planted 

 in the Spring, in any particular section, after all 

 indications of killing frosts have disappear 

 and as late as July and thereafter ; but it is desir- 

 able to plant as early as practicable, as the condi- 

 tions prevailing during April, May and June are 

 more favorable to growth. If deferred as late as 

 July, or afterwards, the results will not be so 

 pronounced the first year. We claim that our 

 stock is second to none, the varieties being dis- 

 tinct and perfectly true to name and much supe- 

 rior to field-grown, grafted or budded plants, as 

 with the former there is more or less mutilation 

 of the roots in transplanting, while the latter are 

 apt to sucker up from the stocks upon which the 

 scions are implanted. 



We do not offer Fruit or Shade Trees, our busi- 

 ness being confined to the production and sale of 

 Flowering and Ornamental Plants, Shrubbery, 

 Small Fruits, Bulbs and Seeds. This Catalogue 

 and the Autumn Edition contain complete lists 

 of everything that wc have to offer. 



