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AABUNC-BOYCE SEED CO., SEATTLE 
How to Grow Roses 
L OCATION of BEDS — Roses should be planted where they will be open to sunlight for 
at least half of each day. In locating beds, avoid trees, shrubbery and shady sides of 
buildings and fences. This will lessen the danger from insects and diseaes. 
SOIL — Any good garden soil, which will grow good vegetables will grow, with proper fer- 
tilization, fine Roses. The ideal soil is a clay loam of sufficient porosity to permit of ready 
drainage. 
PREPARATION OF BEDS — The beds should not be so large that the Roses cannot be 
reached without treading among them. Long, narrow beds, with one continuous row of plants, are 
preferable. Spade the soil to a good depth, mixing in good fertilizer as you do so, and the richer 
the fertilizer the better results you will have. We manufacture a special rose fertilizer. Whale- 
bone meal is excellent. 
PLANTING — Most varieties should be planted about 2% feet apart, when the soil is in a 
nice, mellow condition. Spread the roots out well and press the soil down firmly. Plant slightly 
deeper than previously grown and give out good watering if weather is warm and dry. 
WATERING — Most people water their Roses too much. Once a week is often enough and 
that early in the morning. Keep the soil mulched or cultivated around the bushes to prevent 
baking. 
MULCHING AND PROTECTION — Only the tenderest varieties need any protection in this 
country. This can best be supplied by mulching the soil around the plants with a heavy appli- 
cation of cow manure, which should be spaded in the following spring. All plants should have 
this mulching. 
PRUNING — Field-grown dormant Roses should be cut back severely when first set out. Sub- 
sequent primings should be attended to in late winter and early spring, when all dead and weak 
growth should be removed entirely and the strong, live canes should be shortened back to one 
or two feet in length, according to the growth of the previous season. It may be accepted as 
a general rule that weak growth should be pruned severely and strong ones sparingly. Climb- 
ing Roses should not be cut back any more than is necessary to keep the plant in a shapely 
appearance. 
BEST TIME FOR PLANTING — No question is asked more frequently than, “When is the 
best time to plant Roses?” Our dormant field-grown Roses can be planted any time that the soil 
ran be worked, between October and April. Probably the best month is March. Most people 
plant in that month and with best results. Our small greenhouse-grown Roses should not be 
planted until a month later, when the soil has warmed up with the increasing strength of the 
