DiNGEE Roses 



Own Root's 



How to Grow ^^Dingee Roses" 



All Dingee Roses are propagated under such fav- 

 orable 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 protec- 

 tion. 



Preparation of Beds 



The way to get the best results from Roses when 

 planted in beds is to make a trench to a depth of 

 I 5 to 18 inches, that is, the soil should be removed 

 to that depth, well pulverized and mixed with 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 heav^, it should be lightened with 

 a portion of sand. 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. 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. 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, however, 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 Hme is also benefi- 

 cial, about a cupful to a plant scattered on the sur- 

 face 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 

 ' immediately plant, yet if it is impossible to do this 

 ! the plant should be placed in a cellar or moderately 

 1 warm place and protected from the sun. Set them 

 j upright to admit the free circulation of air. When 

 ' you receive them they will be wrapped in Sphag- 

 ; num Moss, w^hich should be removed before plant- 

 , ing, as it is used only for protection. Water freely 

 I from time to time. The roots should be covered 

 with soil or burlap and never allowed to become 

 I 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. If you receive them with the soil on the 

 '' roots in which they have been growing, do not re- 

 I move this soil. Give them as near a natural position 

 1 as possible. Use plenty of water after planting and 

 shade for a few days, if the sun is hot, with news- 

 paper 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 

 I 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; 

 i 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 be- 

 fore 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, Har- 

 rison'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 pro- 

 tection of strawy horse stable manure after the 



