66 
WISCONSIN HORTICULTURE 
February, 1919 
Roses, and Their Culture Out- 
doors. 
Fred W. Sparks. 
“Beecher,” the great American 
preacher, said, “The sweetest 
thing that God made and forgot 
to put a soul in, is the rose ; the 
‘Queen of Flowers.' 
This title might appear to he 
somewhat of a misnomer, when 
applied to the blooms so often 
seen in gardens of the mid-west. 
I have no intention of asserting 
that we here can grow roses to 
equal those grown in the British 
Isles, or those of the Pacific coast, 
yet if we observe the many de- 
tails so essential to success, roses 
of good quality will be our re- 
ward. 
Dean Hole, the great English 
rosarian, says in his “Book About 
Roses,” “He who would have 
beautiful roses in his garden must 
have them in his heart. He must 
love them well and always. To 
win, he must woo as Jacob wooed 
Laban’s daughter, though drought 
and frost consume.” 
The first and chief essentials 
are suitable soil and location. 
(Soil) Roses thrive to perfec- 
tion in a somewhat heavy soil ; 
that known as a clayey loam be- 
ing the best. 
Soils that are light and sandy in 
character, may be built up by the 
addition of friable yellow clay, 
turf sod, that has been stacked at 
least six months, and good cow 
manure. 
All soils should be freely 
sprinkled with coarse bonemeal 
before digging; this tends to 
the production of a good firm 
growth. 
(Situation) This, if possible, 
should be on a gentle slope; 
should be well drained, and ex- 
posed to full sun and air. 
Shelter from the north and east 
wind is desirable, though it should 
be far enough away to cast no 
shade upon the plants, and to pre- 
. ent roots of trees from robbing 
the rose garden of ites fertility. 
(How and when to plant) The 
two months most suitable for 
planting dormant stock, are Oc- 
tober and April. Potted plants 
may be set out as late as June, but 
even these are benefited by early 
planting. 
The distance between each 
plant may be governed by the size 
of the bed; 20 to 24 inches apart 
is the best distance. 
What is known as “worked 
stock,” i. e., that which has been 
budded or grafted on Brier or 
Manetti roots ; should be planted 
deep enough so that 2 or 3 inches 
of soil cover the point of union be- 
tween scion and stock. 
While touching upon this ques- 
tion of worked stock, it brings up 
the oft discussed question, as to 
which is best, stock that has been 
so treated, or that growing upon 
its own roots. 
It has been proved that many 
varieties do as ivell or even better 
on their own roots; but taking all 
varieties into consideration, there 
is no doubt that the budded or 
grafted stock will be the more 
satisfactory. The deep planting 
previously recommended of this 
stock also encourages the produc- 
tion of roots from above the point 
of union, thus making success 
doubly sure. 
Careful watch must be kept dur- 
ing the summer months for suck- 
er growths. These spring from 
the stock on which the plants have 
been “worked,” and if allowed 
to remain they would soon 
smother the plant. They are 
readily detected by having seven 
leaflets instead of the usual five: 
whilst the stems are covered with 
reddish hairlike spines. Cut, or 
break them off cleanly at the 
point where they originate, other- 
wise their removal would be only 
temporary. 
(Pruning) This is governed by 
the type one is pruning. The 
“hybrid perpetual” class are best 
when pruned back rather severe- 
ly ; some exhibitors prune them 
within a few inches of the ground, 
but this is unnecessary for gar- 
den purposes, and 12 to 15 inches 
will be found to produce flowers 
of good quantity, and quality. 
In the case of “hybrid teas” 
the methods differ; though some 
will be found so vigorous that the 
pruning recommended for “per- 
petuals will suffice; others will 
require little pruning with the ex- 
ception of cutting off the tips, re- 
moving side branches and all 
weak, straggly growths. 
The best time for pruning is the 
month of April when the sap first 
commences to flow, and the buds 
are beginning to swell. Always 
prune just above a bud pointing 
outward ; this keeps the center of 
the plant open to admit light and 
air, and preserves a good shape. 
(Watering) Though the rose 
does not like “wet feet” they will 
require frequent soakings of wa- 
ter during the hot, dry weather, 
previously sprinkling the beds 
very lightly with bonemeal, and 
at such times a forcible spraying 
with water from the hose will help 
to keep the plants clean and free 
from red spider and thrip. 
(Mulching) In July a good 
mulching cf cow manure will help 
conserve the moisture in the soil ; 
and build up a good growth for 
the following season. Frequent 
waterings of liquid manure are 
also very beneficial. 
