GENERAL CATALOGUE OF PLANTS. 
3 
The Cultivation of Roses. 
SUBMITTING our revised list of Roses to our .customers, we feel justified in saying 
that our plants this season are the largest and finest we have ever offered. The flattering 
letters received from many of our patrons as to the satisfactory results obtained from our 
stock have made us feel that our efforts to send out good and reliable plants are appre- 
ciated. We make the Rose our great specialty, and in the past season we have taken 
special pride in this, the Queen of Flowers. We are now supplying thousands of our 
Hover-loving friends with Roses which maybe used in many ways to great advantage. 
A more beautiful object can hardly be imagined than a hedge of Roses in full bloom." 
Avenues of Roses may be formed by a hedge on each side of a walk, and nothing could 
be more charming, especially where the plants can be kept always growing and bloom- 
ing, as in the South. One of the most satisfactory methods of planting Roses, and the 
one most practical, is in beds or masses. A bed of ioo Roses in bloom will form a sheet 
... . . of dazzling brilliancy that can hardly be surpassed. For this purpose the freest-bloom- 
ing varieties of Hybrid Perpetuals and the Everblooming class should be selected. When these are mixed in 
the same bed, the Hybrid Perpetuals should be planted in the center, surrounded bv Bourbons and Teas and 
the whole edged with Chinese or low-growing Teas.. 
.Preparation ox tne Ground. Roses will grow in any fertile ground, but are much improved in bloom 
fragrance and beauty by rich soil, liberal manuring and good cultivation. The ground should be subsoiled 
and well spaded to the depth of a foot or more, and enriched by digging in a good coat of cow manure or any 
fertilizing material that may be convenient. Renew old beds with decayed sods taken from old pasture land. 
Planting. When the ground is thoroughly prepared, set the plants slightly deeper than thev were 
before, spi ead the roots out evenly in their natural position, and cover them with fine earth, taking care to draw 
it closely around the stem, and pack it down firmly with the hand, as it is very important that the earth be 
tightly firmed down on the roots. Always choose the most favorable time for planting in your own locality 
Roses can be planted as soon as convenient after frost is over. They can be sent with entire safety, regardless 
of the season. Always select an open, sunny place, exposed to full light and air. 
Watering. If the ground is dry wnen the Roses are planted, water thoroughly after planting, so as co 
soak the earth down below the roots, and, if hot or windy, it may be well to shade them for a few days After 
this not much water is required, unless the weather is unusually dry. Plants will not thrive if kept too wet 
without the most perfect drainage. ‘ 
Pruning. In most seasons it is best to prune established plants of hardy Roses in March. Tender varieties 
(such as 1 ea Roses) and newly planted Roses may be left until a month later. As a general rule dose pruning 
produces quality and long pruning quantity of bloom. Climbing Roses should not be cut back : the tips of the 
shoots only should be taken off, and any weak or unripe shoots cut out altogether. 
Fall Treafnient. In the fall Rose beds should have a good dressing of staoie manure, or anv fertilizing 
material that is convenient. Winter rams will carry the strength down to the roots, and the remaining matter 
makes a nice mulch which, in many places, is all the protection that is necessary. In very cold localities it is a 
good plan to cover the beds all over from 3 to 6 inches deep with old sods, fresh earth, or coal ashes Where 
the-wmters are not very severe, tender Roses may be covered with clean rve straw, foiest leaves, or evergreen 
branches, but care must be taken not to make the covering too thick ; it should permit considerable circulation 
of air and should not retain water, and nothing should be used that will ferment, heat or rot The obiect of 
covering is not to keep the plants warm, but to break the force of sudden and violent weather changes particu- 
larly in March, when the plants should be protected from the sun rather than cold, the sudden thawing of the 
frozen wood being the o- .use of injury K l,,c 
Winter Treatment. Whatever covering is used, it should not be put on till late in the season when the 
plants are well matured and severe weather is close at hand ; moderate freezing is not injurious It should be 
understood that a certain degree of growth and development is necessary to enable even hardv Roses and 
plants to bear northern winters. If newly planted just before cold weather, thev can not bear the winter 
T hey must be planted early enough 111 the season to make considerable growth and get well established befo 
cold weather begins, otherwise they will most likely be winter-killed, in spite of any protection that can 
given. In places where the winters are not very severe, many varieties of Everblooming Roses are near 
hardv, and we think the best way to treat them is to leave all in the open ground, and give whatever covering 
may be convenient * '• uvcr,,, 8 
When to Uncover tne Plants. Do not uncover in the spring until frost has left the ground and there 
ihe a b P e r ^ P d e ug°and e “kecL y 861 ^ Whe " uncov ered . the plants should be carefully pruned, and 
OUR ROSESfARE STRONG PLANTS ON THEIR OWN ROOTS. 
(Ttie r 'Sizes:;'We toffer.Jg 
nitiiougn we make a specialty ot the Rose, still we waste no space on worthless sorts, but from the endless 
list of varieties grown, have selected only such as we have tested thoroughly, and found to possess special merit 
in color and vigor of growth. We offer our Roses so cheaply that many who receive our Catalogue for the first 
7 or 
. and 
are not forced but they have been grown strong and vigorous, and 'wiilbegln growth and bloom almosTassomn 
as planted, as hundreds of letters from our customers testify. We ask a trial of our Roses, and if thev do not 
grow and thrive as we say they will, we will cheerfully refund the purchase price. We grow all our Roses from 
cuttings, and they are, therefore, on their own roots, so that when killed down tile new shoots which snront 
up are genuine. H Ul 
Fine assorted Tom Thumb Nasturtiums and Aster plants, 35 cents a dozen. 
