6 THE DINGEE & CONARD COMPANY'S 



should be done with a view to the shapely appearance of the plant. They can be trained in any form 

 desired; if the tree form is preferred, the plant should be kept to a single stem, and staked till the 

 requisite height and form is well developed. It should- be remembered that where severe pruning is 

 practiced liberal manuring is also essential. 



Climbing' Roses should be pruned in the spring before growth has commenced; take out all 

 dead wood and cut back as much as necessary to keep the plant in good shape and within the limits 

 desired. 



ROSES IN POTS. 



The Ever-Blooming Roses are the best for house culture in pots — because they bloom quicker 

 and more continuously than any of the others, and their style and habit of growth is more bushy and 

 better adapted to the purpose. They can be kept nicely with other growing plants, and with proper 

 attention to their requirements will bloom freely. Persons who order Roses for house culture in pots, 

 can select any varieties they choose, or if they prefer to name the colors they like best, we will select 

 for them, and send those sorts we consider most likely to give satisfaction; each kind will be labeled 

 the same as if named in the order. 



Pots. — Do not use too large pots — if possible, not more than three or four inch. The rule is, one 

 size larger than the plants have been grown in. The smaller the pot — provided, of course, it is large 

 enough to contain the plant — the quicker and stronger the plant will start. It is very difficult to get 

 a small plant to live and grow in a large pot. A Rose will not bloom much till the pot is well filled 

 with roots, therefore, small pots facilitate quick bloom. If the pots are old, they should first be 

 thoroughly washed. If new they should be soaked in water, otherwise they will absorb the moisture 

 from the plant. 



Soil. — Take good rich soil, mellow and friable. That made from old decomposed sods is best; 

 If manure is used, it should be old and thoroughly composted ; yr^.^;^ manure is injurious. In some 

 places the soil is liable to be infested with the eggs or germs of injurious insects, such as small white 

 worms, &c.; these can be eflectually destroyed by thoroughly heating or roasting the prepared earth 

 in a pan over a hot fire before using it for potting. 



Ho*W to Pot. — Put a bit of broken crockery, charcoal, or other similar material, in the bottom of 

 each pot to facilitate drainage, then enough fine earth to raise the plant to a proper height. It should 

 not be much deeper than it was before. Next put in the plant and spread out its roots as near their 

 natural position as possible ; then fill in fine earth and press firmly down with the hand. When done, 

 the pot should not be quite full; a little space is needed for water. 



"Water. — When first potted, water thoroughly — and if the sun is strong, shade for a few days — 

 then give full light and air — though the plant should not be allowed to wither for want of water, the 

 earth should get moderately dry before watering again. Too much water is worse than not enough. 

 Very little water is needed until the plant starts to grow. 



Re-potting". — If the plant should get too large for the pot, it can be shifted into a larger one at 

 any time. You can tell if it needs shifting by turning the plant and ball out in your hand; if the 

 earth is full of roots, matted and protruding against the side of the pot, it can be re-potted at once. 

 To do this, set the ball in the middle of the new pot, taking care to place it no deeper than it was 

 before, then fill in fine earth all around, and pack it well to the bottom. 



"Why Roses Drop their Leaves. — ^We are asked why Roses sometimes drop their leaves 

 after potting ? We cannot tell certainly unless we know all the circumstances. It may result from 

 too large a pot, too much water, or other causes — in any case, the best remedy is perfect rest. Keep 

 th.e plant quite dry until new leaves begin to appear, then water sparingly; the earth in the pots should' 

 not remain soaked, but should dry out rapidly if plants are making a good growth. 



A Plant is in Health when all its parts are in good working order, and established under 

 favorable conditions of growth — but when taken up and removed, these conditions are unavoidably 

 changed, and time is required for it to accommodate itself to the change. When re-set, the plant 

 commences at once to repair damages, and prepare for growth — first, new roots push out, then gradu- 

 ally new leaves are formed. The old leaves, being adapted to the old conditions, cannot usually be 

 sustained by the limited quantity of nutriment the young roots are able to supply, so there being no 



