How to Grow ''Dingee Roses'' 



All Dingee Roses are propagated under such favorable 

 conditions that our shibboleth, "Dingee Roses Go and 

 Grow Everywhere," is literally true; but common sense 

 tells us that certain kinds of Roses thrive better in some 

 localities than in others. We have tried to indicate as 

 nearly as possible, in connection with the different classes 

 of Roses, the section of the country in which each will 

 thrive to its full perfection with the least amount of 

 protection. 



Preparation of Be ds 



The way to get the best results from Roses when planted 

 in beds is to make a trench to a depth of 15 to 18 inches, 

 that is, the soil should be removed to that depth, well 

 pulverized and mixed v/ith from one-third to one-fourth its 

 bulk with well-rotted animal manure, cow stable manure 

 preferable where it can be obtained. Before filling in the 

 bed it is well to put in some material for drainage, such as 

 soft coal cinders, broken crockery or stones, not too large. 

 Then return the soil to the trench, and when returned it 

 should stand from 3 to 4 inches higher than the surrounding 

 ground, as it will quickly settle below the surface. It is 

 necessary to do this in order that rainwater will drain 

 quickly away from the bed. If, however, the soil you re- 

 move from the trench is not the best Rose soil, as the best 

 kind of soil for Roses is a clayey loam; if your soil does not 

 contain this, it can be improved by mixing in sods from 

 the roadside or fields ; but if your soil is too heavy, it should 

 be lightened with a portion of sand. The soil, before 

 returning to the trench, should be well pulverized, that is, 

 make it as fine as possible, and also the manure should be 

 pulverized and not left in chunks if you wish to obtain the 

 best results. The selection of your bed is a very important 

 matter. Roses thrive best where they can secure all the 

 sun possible; that is, do not plant them close to trees or 

 shrubbery, as the roots of these extend farther than the 

 branches. Select, if possible, an open situation, where 

 the plants will receive plenty of air and sunshine. It is 

 not, however, necessary that they should receive sunshine 

 the entire day. A southeastern exposure is an ideal one. 

 They will, however, do well in other locations if given the 

 necessary care. Roses do better if they are watered in 

 the morning. 



Fertilizer 



This is a question we are frequently requested to answer. 

 Animal manure from one to two years old, where it can be 

 obtained, is the best. Cow manure is generally preferred, 

 and can be used in fresh condition. Horse manure when 

 new is very heating and should not be used while in this 

 condition, except as a winter mulch. Hog, sheep and 

 chicken manure are also very helpful. The last two, how- 

 ever, should be used sparingly. Ground bone is beneficial, 

 but should be secured as fine as possible, and it should be 

 used sparingly. The best method is sprinkling a portion 

 over the bed until the ground is entirely covered, then 

 with the use of a fork it can be dug into the soil and 



thoroughly mixed. Air slaked lime is also beneficial, 

 about a cupful to a plant scattered on the surface in early 

 spring and midsummer. A mulching of cow stable manure 

 is very beneficial during the growing season. It helps to 

 retain the moisture during the dry season, as well as a food 

 for the roots. 



Planting 



As soon as the plants are received it is best to im- 

 mediately plant, yet if it is impossible to do this the plant 

 should be placed in a cellar or moderately warm place and 

 protected from the sun. Set them upright to admit the 

 free circulation of air. When you receive them they will 

 be wrapped in Sphagnum Moss, which should be removed 

 before planting, as it is used only for protection. Water 

 freely from time to time. The roots should be covered 

 with soil or burlap and never allowed to become dry. 

 Soaking the roots in lukewarm water or thin mud for an 

 hour or two before planting to restore their vitality is 

 beneficial. Do not set the plants too shallow. They 

 should be planted deeper than they were growing in the 

 pots before shipping. This can easily be determined by 

 an examination of the plant. The roots of the plants 

 should be spread out and not cramped. If you receive 

 them with the soil on the roots in which they have been 

 growing, do not remove this soil. Give them as near a 

 natural position as possible. Use plenty of water after 

 planting and shade for a few days, if the sun is hot, with 

 newspaper or similar material, and if the season is a dry 

 one an occasional watering will be beneficial. The best 

 time to plant Roses such as we send out, being pot-grown, 

 own-root stock, is in early spring. This refers entirely to 

 pot-grown plants and not dormant plants. By dormant 

 plants we mean field-grown; that is, lifted from the field 

 and have not made any growth whatever. Such plants 

 as these should be set out earlier than pot-grown plants. 



Pruning 



As a rule, the Roses that we send out do not need any 

 pruning, being pot-grown plants. However, if the bushes 

 are more spreading than is desired, it does not injure the 

 plant any to prune it back. This applies only to the pot- 

 grown plants. Pruning can be done at any season of the 

 year with a certain class of Roses, but it is a matter to be 

 governed by the judgment of the possessor of the plants. 

 The best time for pruning is early spring, just before they 

 begin to break at the eyes. Then it is well to trim Roses 

 back to about one-third to one-half the season's growth. 

 The larger and heavier the growth the more it should be 

 trimmed. 



Winter Protection 



The protection necessary to keep Roses safely through 

 the winter months depends entirely upon the character 

 of the plant and the location. For such Roses as the 

 Hybrid Perpetuals, Rugosas, Harrison's Yellow, etc., very 

 little protection, if any, is necessary in any climate, yet 

 it is beneficial in the cold latitudes of the North to give 

 them protection of strawy horse stable manure after the 

 first hard freeze. The soil itself is a good protection. When 



