SOUTHERN HOME GROUNDS 13 
fertilizer. If cow-manure is available, you will find it the best, but it should be 
well rotted. Equal parts of co\v-manure and soil is the correct proportion. If 
you use sheep manure or commercial fertilizer, use sparingly, for both are very 
strong, and an excc.is is liable to injure your plants. 
You are now ready to plant your bushes. Set them with the splice (if they 
are budded varieties) about 2 inches below the .surface. The hole that is to 
receive the plant should be large enough to allow the roots to be inserted with- 
out touching the sides. Now that you have set the plant, spread out the roots 
and do not allow them to lie across each other. With the hands gently firm the 
soil about the roots, for they can draw no substance from air spaces. Put in 
the top soil and pack it gently with the foot. If the ground is not quite moist 
when you plant, and it is not likely to be, pour a pail of water in this depression. 
Your Roses are now set out and the next thing to do is to prune the bushes. 
If you plant in the fall, do not cut back very much of the live wood. Cut off 
any and all decayed wood and spindling branches, for these are weaklings and 
are only sapping away the life of the plant. If it is spring, cut back your plants 
severely. Select a good strong e^e on the outside of the stem about a foot from 
the ground, and cut off the bush just above the eye. 
It must be remembered that Roses have enemies, just as fruit trees have 
theirs. Directly after the leaves have opened, look at them and if any are 
stuck together or doubled up, that is the sign of Rose caterpillar. No remedy 
has been found to check this pest so well as pinching the glued leaves between 
the fingers. Do this every day until there are no further evidences of the 
caterpillar's activity. If the Rose bugs attack your plants, picking them off 
by hand will be most effective. Many of the leading Ro,sc-growers plant a 
small, white-flowering shrub nearby, for Rose bugs are fond of white flowers 
and will go to the shrub. A good preventative of insect attacks is tobacco 
vapor. Place a few dr>' stems on the ground under the bushes and the vapor 
arising from them after a rain or sprinkling 
will do much to keep the insects at bay. 
We are fully conversant with the culture 
and care of Rases. If you desire any infor- 
mation not given in this 
booklet, we shall be glad to 
have vou write us. 
Climbing Roses and vines have much the same uses. Train them over the porch or 
on a wall where they will add much to tha appearance of the housa and grounds 
