A CHAPTER OH ROSES. 
43 
roots nicely in their natural position ; coyer with fine soil, 
and pack down tightly with the hand.” 
No low plants or grass should be allowed to encroach 
upon the roses, as their roots require all the moisture they 
can obtain, and the smaller plants will absorb it. A plan 
of irrigation recommended for the culture of strawberry 
and tomato plants would answer admirably for roses; and 
this is to take an old fruit can, pierce it with one or two 
junholes, and sink it in the earth near the roots of the 
plant. The holes are made very small, so that when the 
can is filled with water it will trickle into the ground yery 
slowly. A quart can, if properly arranged, will keep a 
plant moist for several days ; it is then refilled. “ Plants 
thus watered flourish and yield the most bounteous returns 
through the longest droughts. In all warm localities where 
water is scarce, the planting of old fruit cans will be found 
profitable as a regular gardening operation.” 
Another plan for watering roses is to “dig a hole by 
the side of the rose-bush, not near or deep enough to injure 
the roots, however, and plant a- flower-pot about four inches 
in diameter. Do not fill the pot with earth, but leave it 
empty, and have it either even or a little below the sur¬ 
face of the ground. When necessary to water the plant, 
fill this pot with water, and it will be astonishing to see 
how very rapidly the water is absorbed ; refill two or three 
times. The water given in this manner goes at once to the 
roots, where it is needed, when, if applied to the surface of 
the ground, most likely it would not be given in quantity 
sufficient to reach the roots ; besides, surface watering tends 
to bake and harden the soil. Liquid fertilizers can be ap¬ 
plied in the same manner ; and should be given in moder¬ 
ate quantities, and not too strong, twice a week.” 
Boses are the natural product of June, and the month 
of months would not be itself without them ; but a garden 
of roses must have bloom all the season through, and the 
