NEW GUIDE TO ROSE CULTURE FOR 1904 



11 



HOW TO GROW %OSES— Continued - 



PLANTING 



The best time to plant is during the spring or 

 early summer months. Those who wish to plant 

 early should observe the homely rule of waiting 

 until after corn-planting time. If you are so situ- 

 ated that you have ro means of telling when that 

 time arrives, we would advise that planting in open 

 ground be deferred until all danger of frost is past. 

 Having prepared the ground, set the plants about 

 twelve inches apart. Do not hesitate to place the 

 roots well below the surface of the soil, arranging 

 them, as far as possible, in their natural position. 

 Cover the roots, pressing firmly down upon them 

 and in around the stem. After planting, water 

 freely, and if the sun be strong, protect them for a 

 few days with a covering of newspapers or other 

 suitable covering. Water judiciously, that is. not 

 too freely, and daily until they show signs of having 

 become established. Do not plant if the ground is 

 wet. as the soil will become baked and thus en- 

 danger the safety of the plants. During the 

 presence of protracted drought the plants should 

 fce watered daiiy in the evenings. 



PRUNING 



The different varieties of Roses differ very much 

 in habit of growth; many are neat and compact, 

 requiring little or no trimming, while others of the 

 same class are vigorous and straggling, sending out 

 long shoots which tend to outrun the limits assigned 

 them. Pruning, therefore, is a matter to be gov- 

 erned by the judgment of the possessor of the 

 plants. We will add. however, that PLANTS OF 

 PERSISTENT GROWTH SHOULD BE TRIMMED 

 BACK EACH FALL OR IN EARLY SPRING 

 ABOUT ONE-HALF TO TWO-THIRDS OF THE 

 SEASON'S GROWTH. Where plants, apparently 

 healthy, fail to mature the buds which they bear, 

 remove a large percentage of the undeveloped buds 

 and imperfect blooms and prune severely. Also 

 trim back about one-third when, after planting, 

 they shed their leaves and exhibit signs of weak- 

 ness; this gives the roots a chance to become vigor- 

 ous. 



ROSES IN POTS OR BOXES 



The conditions most favorable for growing Roses 

 in pots or boxes are good, rich soil, plenty of sun- 

 shine and heat ranging from 50 s at night to 75- 

 during the day. If Roses are purchased in the 

 spring and summer for winter bloom, they can be 

 planted in large-size pots — one-year plants in pots 

 whose inside diameter at the top is four inches, 

 two-year-old in six-inch pots. Plunge the pots in 

 open ground, in some partly shaded place; cultivate 

 and keep healthy during the summer; water spar- 

 ingly and pinch off all buds as they appear. Upon 

 the approach of cold weather take up the pots and 

 remove as much of the surface soil as can be done 

 without disturbing the roots, replacing with fresh 

 soil. Bring into a warm room and water freely. 

 After the period of bloom is over, cut back and 

 remove to a cool cellar; the following spring they 

 will grow with renewed energy, either in open 

 ground or in larger pots. 



GROWING ROSES FOR CUT FLOWERS 



In answer to those who contemplate taking up 

 this branch of Rose growing, or, in fact, the grow- 

 ing of any kind of cut flowers, we would recom- 

 mend "Practical Floriculture." a thoroughly prac- 

 tical book, giving all the information required per- 

 taining to the culture of flowers in general. We can 

 furnish this book (300 pages) for $1.50, POSTPAID. 



Healthy, vigorous Roses are less liable to the 

 ravages of insects than weak specimens, which do 

 not have the vitality to resist the onslaught of the 

 pernicious parasites. Our Roses are singularly free 

 from insects, owing to their vigor, but should they 

 become infested, a few applications of a good in- 

 secticide will exterminate them at the outset, after 

 which very little or no trouble will be experienced. 

 The following recipes and preparations are good. 

 They should be applied both to the upper and under 

 surface of the foliage by means of a good sprinkler. 

 We can supply the "Tyrian Plant Sprinkler," "The 

 Auto-Spray" and "New Era Spraver." at prices 

 given in that portion of this book devoted to Seeds 

 and Garden Requisites. (See Index.) All of these 

 are inexpensive and verv satisfactory. 



KEROSENE EMULSION.— To two parts of kero- 

 sene add one of slightly sour milk; agitate until the 

 compound unites in the form of a white jelly; dilute 

 with twentv parts of soft water. 



TOBACCO SOLUTION.— Made by boiling the 

 leaves or stems of tobacco. The liquid should be 

 made about the strength of weak tea. 



TOBACCO INSECTICIDE SOAP.— This prepara- 

 tion is put up in cakes, with directions for use 

 printed on labels. It is a standard remedy, and one 

 of the best. Two sizes. Price. 15 cts. and 30 cts. 

 each; postpaid. (See Index of this book.) 



WINTER PROTECTION 



This is not deemed of so much importance as for- 

 merly, as plants that fail to survive, or whose vital- 

 ity has been impaired by the rigor of winter, can 

 now be readily replaced, and at such trifling ex- 

 pense that it is thought by many scarcely worth the 

 time and trouble involved to secure their preserva- 

 tion. 



To those of our friends and customers who are. 

 however, interested in the matter of "winter pro- 

 tection." a few remarks will suffice. As to the 

 classes of Roses that are. hardy, and those that are 

 not hardy, this information is given in the introduc- 

 tion of the individual classes. WHERE IT IS POS- 

 SIBLE, WE WOULD ADVISE THAT THE BENE- 

 FIT OF THE DOUBT BE GIVEN BY PROTECT- 

 ING ALL VARIETIES. IRRESPECTIVE OF THE 

 CLASS. FOR IT WILL NOT BE HARMFUL TO 

 PROTECT EVEN THE MOSS OR HYBRID PER- 

 PETUAL ROSE. Do not cover your plants too 

 soon; a nip of frost will not hurt them, but will 

 help to ripen and mature them. Such material as 

 leaves, hay. straw, light manure, street sweepings, 

 pine or cedar boughs, corn fodder, etc., will afford 

 excellent protection. Sufficient should be given to 

 prevent the roots from freezing, but considerable 

 light and circulation of air should not be excluded. 

 In the spring, wait until the weather is settled be- 

 fore uncovering; then prune the plants, taking care 

 to cut off all dead or discolored wood. 



GENERAL REMARKS 



All our Roses are grown here at our establish- 

 ment under our personal supervision under natural 

 conditions in ordinary soil. Not fertilized or forced 

 into quick growth. We claim for them that they 

 are the BEST grown Roses in the world. All our 

 plants are li from time to time, and all in- 



ferior specimens rejected; thus none but the best 

 are sent to our customers. Every one ordering 

 from us may DEPEND upon getting plants true to 

 name in every instance. We do not offer fruit or 

 shade trees. This catalogue and the autumn edi- 

 tion contain complete lists of everything we have 

 to offer. Last, but by no means least, we wish to 

 saw if you are a lover or grower of flowers. "Suc- 

 cess with Flowers," the leading floral monthly, will 

 prove exceedingly helpful and interesting. Read 

 the announcement of it elsewhere. 



