THE DINGEE & CONARD COMPANY S 



HOW TO GROW ROSES IN OPEN GROUND. 



It is doubtless well understood that no invariable rules can be laid down for 

 Rose or plant culture. The few hints that we are able to give, point, we be- 

 lieve, in the direction of success ; but the particular needs of plant-life require 

 daily attention and study. Having given a few general directions, the rest must 

 be left to the good judgment of each practitioner. 



Many well-informed persons appear to think that Roses are difficult to manage, 

 and will not bloom without some special or mysterious treatment not generally 

 understood. Now, nothing could well be further from the truth. We believe 

 there is really no flower of proportionate value that can be had so easily and 

 with so little trouble. The Rose is a good feeder, and will do well in any ordi- 

 nary fertile soil, but is, of course, improved by thorough cultivation. It is 

 always best to plant in beds or masses, and not singly. The ground should 

 be well spaded and pulverized to the depth of a foot or more, and enriched by 

 digging in any fertilizing material that may be convenient. Make the bed of 

 any size or shape that suits your fancy ; only remember that Roses appear to best 

 advantage by themselves. Therefore, make the bed only large enough for the 

 Roses you intend to plant. If you wish other flowers, make other beds ; do 

 not put them with the Roses. 



Planting. — Set the plants about six inches from the edge of the bed, and one 

 foot from each other. Make a hole large enough to allow the roots to be spread, 

 out nicely, cover with fine soil rather deeper than they were grown, and pack. 

 down tightly with the hand. 



Protection. — It will generally be best, though not always necessary, to pro- 

 tect the plants for a few days from the sun and chilling winds, until they become 

 somewhat accustomed to their new position. One of the best ways we know of 

 doing this is suggested by Mrs. Hull, of Cortlandt, N. Y. She uses paper gro- 

 cery bags, turning the bag completely over the plant, which should be supported 

 by one or more small sticks and heaping on a little earth to keep it in place. 



Water. — If the ground is dry, water thoroughly so as to soak the earth down 

 to the roots of the plants. Do not water too often — like persons they want water 

 only when they are thirsty. Let them get thirsty before giving them a drink. 



Cultivation. — After the plants are established they need but little attention, 

 except that the ground should not be allowed to bake or become hard, but 

 should be frequently cultivated with hoe and rake, or other implements, so as to- 

 keep it light and friable, as well as clear from weeds and grass. Roses of the 

 Ever-blooming Class will begin to bloom almost as soon as they commence to 

 grow, and as the plant gains in strength and size, the flowers will increase in 

 number and beauty, until the whole bed is a mass of bloom. Faded flowers 

 should be removed daily ; besides adding to the neat appearance of the beds, 

 this encourages fresh bloom, as the effort to produce seeds weakens the vitality 

 of the plant and hinders its growth. This is particularly applicable to the Hy- 

 brid Perpetual Class, some of which are rather shy autumn bloomers, unless care 

 is taken to keep them growing vigorously during the summer. At the approach 

 of winter, it is a good plan to give the bed a covering of coarse manure, forest 

 leaves, partially decomposed sods, road scrapings, or any similar material that 

 is convenient ; this serves as a shght protection, besides inducing a strong early- 

 growth the following season. 



Pruning. — When dressing up the beds in the spring, all the dead shoots 



