10 



THE DINGEE & CONARD COMPANY'S 



U/ii-jter 



protection; 



This is not deemed of so much 

 importance as formerly, as plants 

 that fail to survive, or whose vi- 

 tality has been impaired 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 in- 

 volved 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 determine 

 with any degree of certainty, especially when ex- 

 treme 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, what- 

 ever 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 alongside 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, Hy- 

 brid 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 situa- 

 tion they should be watered sparingly, just suffi- 

 cient to keep the soil damp. If treated properly 

 they should be in excellent condition for trans- 

 planting in the Spring. 



3b6 Utility I ^ e are conscious of the presence 

 /-, ' of a large class of persons to 



0| plOU/STS I 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 W illiam Cobbett : 

 " Of what use is anything?" As a matter of fact 

 civilization and refinement are attained by a sacri- 

 fice of many primitive enjoyments peculiar to the 

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

 self-respect require that we shall surround our- 

 selves, 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 in- 



terspersed with tastefully arranged groups of 

 dwarf Ornamental Shrubbery ? Or, in the absence 

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

 tive 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 mo- 

 ments, especially for those engaged in sedentary 

 pursuits, and at the same time rewarding the out- 

 lay of effort and money many times by the en- 

 hanced 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. We 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? 



Oer;eral... 

 I^emar^s. 



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 accelerate their 

 growth. They are inspected from time to time 

 and all inferior specimens rejected. The results 

 of this original method of propagation and treat- 

 ment is to impart a healthy constitution, which 

 insures vigor and vitality of subsequent growth. 

 They are all on their own roots, and in trans- 

 planting these roots are preserved intact, so that 

 temporary arrest of growth is reduced to a mini- 

 mum. They may be planted in the Spring, in any 

 particular section, after all indications of killing 

 frosts have disappeared, and as late as July and 

 thereafter ; but it is desirable to plant as early as 

 practicable, as the conditions 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 distinct and perfectly true to 

 name and much superior to field-grown, grafted 

 or budded plants, as with the former there is 

 more or less mutilation of the roots in trans- 

 planting, while the latter are apt to sucker up 

 from the stocks upon which the scions are im- 

 planted. 



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 we have to offer. 



