427-9 SANSOME ST. 
SAN FRANCISCO. 
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limitless, and some roses are lacking in one or the other quality ; but the roses that possess them all — 
and it is not a perfect rose that does not— are now so numerous that it is an easy matter even for an 
amateur to collect the very best varieties in existence. 
The amateur rose-grower does not, as a rule, CJire to burden himself with the knowledge that enables 
one to refer a rose to this or that class. It is enough for him to group them int > roses that bloom 
once or more than once in a season, and these again into climbing and uon-climSing varieties ; so that in 
addition to his regarding form, color and odor, he should select roses that will bloom more than 
once a year. 
Again, he will develop a fondness for certain types and a desire to multiply those favorites. Nothing 
is more easy or pleasant than to do this by " budding " good kinds into wild stocks, and he will ex- 
perience a peculiar pleasure in filling his garden with the result of his own handiwork ; or, the multi- 
plying may be by cuttings which, in California, may be taken from favorite bushes in early winter and 
planted for rooting during the rainy season. One lesson from an intelligent rose-grower, either in bud- 
ding or making cuttings, is sufficient to start the veriest amateur in a work that will prove delightful as 
he extends his knowledge by observation and reading, and for this latter the following books are 
earnestly commended : 
The Rose By Geo. B. EUwaneer $i 25 
The Amateor's Rose Book By Shirley Hibbard i 50 
A Book Ahout Roses By Rev. Reynolds Hole 1 50 
Farsons oa the Rose By S, H. Parsons i 00 
These books give the most recent knowledge respecting Rose culture and propagation, besides list- 
ing the meritorious kinds and describing their pedigree, habits and qualities. 
Bearing in mind, therefore, the injunction to have only good roses, suited to your individual taste, 
make your selections of and buy your rose stocks or budded standards from a reliable nursery concern, 
and multiply them according to fancy. It will be found that some varieties of roses do well all the time, 
some do well part of the time, and some never do well under local conditions. Discard all but those 
that do well constantly, and expend the time and labor only on them and others of similar qualifications. 
The dwellings in California are not built in compact masses, as in the eastein cities, and here the 
custom generally prevails of open areas between dwellings. At small expense and little labor these 
gardens could be beautified by rose bushes, with their refreshing blooms, and sunny walls could be 
covered with climbing roses, bespeaking on the exterior of the home the gladness and peace that 
prevail within. 
CULTURE. 
TIME TO PLANT.— The best time to set out roses is December to March. During those months 
we can supply strong, dormant, 2-year-old, field-grown plants (that is, bushes which will commence 
blooming the first spring and summer after being set out). Some of the newer sorts we cannot offer 
thus, because of having them only in small, pot-grown plants. 
HOW TO PLANT.— Having enriched the soil with o/d, decayed manure, dig a much larger hole 
than the roots absolutely require; then, placing the bush in a natural position, throw some of the best 
pulverized soil around the roots ; lift the bush gently up and down, so that the soil may settle amongst 
the fibrous roots ; then add the remaining soil, gently pressing around the plant with the foot. 
When flowers on the bush become decayed, remove them ; this encourages new growth for the 
next blooms. 
PRUNING.— Should be done in December, January] and February; prune back and thin out 
liberally. 
WATERING.— The best plan is to dig a ditch among your bushes and run the water into it— the water 
getting well to the roots by this means ; avoid surface watering, which in a great many cases bakes 
the surface, and does not reach the roots. 
DISEASES. 
APHIS or GREEN-FLY.— Is a small green louse, appearing on the young, tender shoots and buds • 
through their slender beak they suck the sap of the plant, always working at the tender shoots' 
Remedies.— Tobacco in any form is fatal to them. Sprinkle powdered tobacco on the bushes prefer- 
al)ly in the morning, when there is moisture on the leaves ; or soak tobacco stems in water till it' is about 
the color of weak tea, and apply with a syringe ; if practicable, fumigate with tobacco smoke. 
MILDEW.— When plants become covered with a whitish mold, you may be sure it is " mildew " 
Unless a very severe attack, it will not probably kill the bushes, but will retard their growth. Reme- 
