ASST S eA S; Rae 
) FOUNDED Ore 
1850 
“FOUNDED oA. 
1850 ge 
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The Best Varieties for Different Sections of the Country 
LL DINGEE ROSES are propagated under such 
favorable conditions that our shibboleth, ‘‘Din- | 
gee 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 are often asked our opinion upon this one 
point, and in order to give our friends a guide for them 
to follow 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. | 
But it must not be understood, because we prefer a 
certain class for one locality, that it will not do well 
in others. For instance, we recommend all the Hybrid 
Perpetuals for planting in the extreme Northern States | 
and Canada, and yet these same varieties grow to great 
size and beauty in Florida and Texas. On the other 
hand, we state that some of the Tea Roses are best 
for southern planting; but by careful protection they 
may be grown successfully in Canada. 
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 
with from one-third to one-fourth of 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 | 
It is necessary to do this, in | 
below the surface. 
order that the rain water will drain quickly away from 
the bed. If, however, the soil you remove 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 pulver- 
ized, 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 further than the branches. 
Select, if possible, an open situation, where the plants 
will receive plenty of air and sunshine. It is not, how- 
ever, necessary that they should receive sunshine the 
entire day. A southeastern exposure is an ideal one. 
FERTILIZER.—This is a question we are frequently 
requested to answer. 
years old where it can be obtained is the best. Cow 
manure is generally preferred. 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 useful. The last 
two, however, should be used sparingly. Ground bone 
is beneficial, but should be secured as fine as possible, 
| or too shallow. 
PREPARATION OF BEDS.—To get the best results | 
Animal manure from one to two ! 
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. You will 
also find an occasional application of Bonora, such as is 
offered in this book, will produce good results. Air 
slacked lime is also beneficial, about a cupful to a 
plant scattered on the surface in early spring and 
mid-summer. 
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 
warm place and protected from the sun. Set them 
upright to admit the free circulation of air. Water 
freely from time to time. The roots should be covered 
with soil or burlap and never be 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 deep 
They should be planted a little 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, but simply loosen it if packed in a 
hard ball. Give them as near a natural position as is 
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 occa- 
sional 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 as soon as all danger of 
frost is past and the ground is warm and pliable, or, in 
other words, about corn-planting time. This time, of 
course, varies with the location. Here in Pennsylvania 
about the first of May is our planting time. Further 
North it is a little later; further South earlier. Febru- 
ary, March and April are good months for Roses on 
the Pacific Coast and the far South. 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. 
Where dormant or field-grown plants are secured they 
should be pruned back before planting. 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 in 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. 
