IO 



THE DINGEE & CONARD CO., WEST GROVE, PA. 



a OR NEARLY THIRTY YEARS we have made Rose growing a specialty. 

 We are the pioneers in this present great industry, and since the time we first 

 sent Roses by Mail, up to the season of 1904, we have grown and shipped to 

 — all quarters of the globe many million plants. In the most unlikely places, 

 in our most distant States and even in many foreign countries ; in the 

 magnificent and well appointed gardens of the rich, and in the more numerous homes 

 of the poor, where all are fondly cherished, the D. & C. Roses have been and are 

 flourishing to-day. This article gives a brief epitome of their culture for the benefit 

 of amateur cultivators. Even the most inexperienced should succeed in growing 

 perfect Roses by following the hints herein mentioned. 



D. & C. CUSTOMERS ARE THE BEST SERVED FLOWER BUYERS IN AMERICA 



HOW TO PROCEED 



The first and primary consideration is to buy 

 good plants, for no matter how careful and atten- 

 tive one may be, good results cannot come from 

 poor stock. Buy your stock from a reliable florist, 

 and beware of him who would give you something 

 for nothing. 



OUTDOOR CULTIVATION OF ROSES 



Roses may be grown to perfection in ordinary 

 garden soil. Select, if possible, the most sheltered 

 sunny location for planting, avoiding the close 

 proximity of large trees, whose dense foliage and 

 extending roots absorb all the life-sustaining nutri- 

 tion of the soil; young trees and dwarf shrubbery 

 will not be hurtful. 



PREPARATION OF SOIL 



Should the soil you have at disposal be naturally 

 poor, it may be made fertile by substituting a quan- 

 tity of loam, which can readily be obtained under 

 the sod by the roadside or from the fields. To still 

 further enrich the soil, and where it is accessible, 

 add to each wheelbarrow load of loam about one- 

 third its bulk of well-rotted stable manure, also 



some sand, if there be a lack of this constituent* 



Spade to a depth of twelve inches, thoroughly mix- 

 ing and mellowing, and having proceeded thus far. 

 a substantial foundation for future good results has 

 been made. 



FERTILIZERS 



Fine, well-decomposed stable manure is the best 

 fertilizer for general purposes. If this cannot be 

 obtained, fine ground bone or commercial fertilizers 

 may be employed, but they should be applied con- 

 servatively, for if used too freely they are likely to 

 injure the plants. None but such fertilizers that 

 are free from acids should be used. Manure applied 

 in the fall will serve as a partial protection over 

 winter; if in the spring it will be beneficial as a 

 mulch. 



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 sun, set them upright, admitting the 

 free circulation of air, and water freely from time 

 to time. A slight covering of soil around the roots 

 will be beneficial. Should they have a withered ap- 

 pearance, caused by an unusual delay in transit 

 (which seldom occurs), soak them in lukewarm 



water for an hour pr so before planting, to restore 

 their vitality. 



