Iisso^ESktyYears Among The Roses^P^^D 



Our point of view as regards the hardiness, therefore, of a Rose is under ordinarily favorable conditions, 

 but we or no one else can be responsible for the vagaries of old Dame Nature when she appears in 

 some of her curious moods, as she is wont to do. 



ROSES IN POTS OR BOXES. The conditions most favorable for growing Roses in pots or boxes 

 are good rich soil, plenty of sunshine and heat ranging from 50 degrees at night to 75 degrees during the 

 day. If Roses are purchased in the spring and summer for winter bloom, they can be planted in large- 

 sized pots — one-year plants in pots whose inside diameter at the top is 4 inches, two-year-old plants 



in 6-inch pots. Plunge the pot in open ground, 

 in some partly shaded place; cultivate and keep 

 healthy during the summer; water sparingly 

 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 fol- 

 lowing 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 

 growing of any kind of cut-flowers, we would 

 recommend "Practical Floriculture," a thor- 

 oughly practical book, giving all the information 

 required pertaining to the culture of flowers in 

 general. We can furnish this book (300 pages) 

 for $1.50, postpaid. 



THE BEST VARIETIES OF ROSES. This 

 is an all-important subject and must be deter- 

 mined very largely by personal preference. 

 It is impossible for any one to set a limitation 

 upon the varieties of Roses that will prove 

 successful in the various parts of the country, 

 and we have never yet seen the recommenda- 

 tions of any two persons in this regard that 

 have not differed very materially. There are 

 some points that may be well defined and which 

 our patrons may follow with entire safety. 

 To our minds all Roses are desirable, but tastes 

 differ materially. To enumerate the varieties 



Rosa Rugosa on The Dingee & Conard Co.'s grounds 



that we consider the most desirable for the various sections of the country would be to simply dupli- 

 cate, in a large measure, the descriptions of the varieties which follow in this book. We might say, 

 in a general way, that it has been our endeavor in making each page of it to set forth prominently 

 the most desirable varieties, which we have thoroughly tested, but we are frequently told, with a 

 great deal of reason, that there are so many varieties offered that it is sometimes impossible to make 

 an intelligent selection, or one that the writer feels confident in making. 



In the South, where all Roses are hardy and need little or no protection, it is entirely a matter 

 of personal preference. All classes do well, but it is impossible for the planter of the North to grow, 

 unless the situation be very exceptional, such Roses as the Climbing Teas and Noisettes, which in- 

 clude Marechal Niel, James Sprunt, Chromotella and others of that type, but in more moderate cli- 

 mates these Roses frequently do very well and continue to grow and increase in beauty year after 

 year, notably Gloire de Dijon, which we have seen here in Pennsylvania growing to wonderful per- 

 fection. Therefore, we would say to our friends in warm chmates, that all classes, so far as safety 

 during the winter is concerned, will thrive. To our friends in the belt of states in the middle and west- 

 ern localities, where the winters are not so severe as those in the extreme North, in a general way, 

 Tea Roses, Hybrid Tea Roses, Polyanthas, Bourbons and Chinas, with proper protection, will, in 

 nine cases out of ten, come through the winter safely. The Hybrid Teas, of course, are more hardy 

 than the Teas, while the Polyanthas we have seen growing to perfection year after year in the open 

 ground in northern New York. Climbing Roses, such as Climbing Meteor, Climbing Clotilde Soupert, 

 Climbing Wootton, Mrs. Robert Peary, Climbing Helen Gould and Tausendschon also come under 

 this class. 



We call particular attention to the hardy type of Climbing Roses, such as Wichurianas, and the 

 Rambler Roses, which are hardy everywhere. We also desire to make special mention of the Cochet 

 Roses, and we recommend them as the best of all garden Roses of any class, and are hardy pretty 

 : generally in aU sections of the country. No matter where you live, either in the North, South, East 

 or West, this wonderful class, including our new Rose Charles Dingee, should be planted. Not in- 

 frequently we have customers tell us of the hardiness and vigor of these Roses, even in the extreme 

 North, and for that reason we recommend them as hardy, outdoor Roses for all localities. If we were 

 limited to five varieties of Roses we would at once select the Cochet Roses, which we show in colors 



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