WINTER PROTECTION OF ROSES. 



A plant well wintered is worth so much more than one taken in and newly 

 planted in the spring, that it is very desirable to protect them without removal, 

 when possible. This can readily be done in most locations by either of the 

 methods given below. A rose may be winter-killed quite to the ground, but if 

 cut off early in the spring down to the live wood, it will usually push up new 

 shoots, and bloom as well as ever. In winter protection, there are a few observa- 

 tions that should be kept steadily in view. ist. Do not give too much ])rotection ; 

 this is worse than not enough, 2d. Defer covering for winter as late as possible; 

 moderate freezing is not injurious. 3d. Uncover at the proper time in the 

 spring, just when this is it is difficult to direct, as it must depend on the locality, 

 the weather and the season. It should, of course, not be done until the frost 

 has entirely left the ground, and the growing season is at hand. If the plants 

 have had but a slight protection, such as evergreen boughs or straw a few days 

 earlier or later will not make much difference ; but if covered with earth they 

 are in a condition to be more easily injured by sudden changes in the tempera- 

 ture, or drying winds, and should therefore not be uncovered until there is a 

 prospect of reasonably settled weather ; and even then it is well to cut off at least 

 one-half the last season's growth, in order to guard against too rapid evaporation. 



To cover with straw or evergreen boughs, if set singly, drive a stake firmly by 

 the side of the plant, tie it nicely to the stake, then take straight straw or boughs of 

 a suitable size, stand them neatly and closely around, and bind firmly together. 

 If the plants are in a bed, give a covering of straw or leaves, that will be four 

 to six inches thick when settled, then put boughs thickly and neatly over the 

 whole, or boughs will answer very well alone, or leaves alone, if means are 

 taken to keep them from blowing off. 



To protect with earth, bend the plant down to the ground, and cover with fine soil, 

 six inches or a foot deep, or cover the whole bed six inches deep with earth. Cover- 

 ing with earth is only recommended for regions of severe and protracted cold, 

 where nothing else will save the plants. Another plan — take an old box or 

 barrel, knock out the top and bottom, turn it over the plant and fill loosely with 

 leaves, or clean straw, or small boughs. When the covering is removed in the 

 spring and the plants pruned, the bed should be nicely dug over and 

 dressed, after which no further attention is necessary, except to keep it clear of 

 weeds and grass ; with this treatment the plants will be literally covered with 

 Roses during the whole season. 



YOUNG ROSES BLOOM BEST. 



It is now admitted by all that our thrifty young Rose plants, such as we send 

 by mail, full of vigor and vitality, will produce more and finer flowers in a 

 season than the large plants usually sold by florists, and costing one to two dollars 

 each. This is an interesting fact for all lovers of Roses, and one they can easily 

 test for themselves. 



