The Rose —Queen 
of All Flowers 
A good Rose as received. The 
black lines show where to prune 
before planting. 
Our Slogan— 
"Always Reliable 11 
is jealously safeguarded, and 
we will continue to distribute 
only the very best tested hor¬ 
ticultural products possible. 
The prices herein quoted are 
the fairest possible, consis¬ 
tent with high quality, honest 
dealing, and first class serv¬ 
ice. You can depend on Sun¬ 
set at all times. 
The Rose is our leading specialty because it is the most popular of 
flowers. This is as it should be, for it rightfully deserves the title of 
“Queen of Flowers.” The Rose has been constantly improved in color, 
form, and blooming qualities. We have tried earnestly to keep abreast of 
these new creations and have helped to introduce many of the new popular 
Roses. We have also experimented extensively with rootstocks for bud¬ 
ding, and now can safely say we have the best root obtainable to produce 
the finest Roses over the longest period. The success of your Rose garden 
is assured in placing your order with us. We are the largest dealers of 
high-grade budded Roses in San Francisco. 
Remember that handling plants is our main business—not a sideline, as 
it is in department and hardware stores. Our Roses are handled as they 
should be with regard to the fact that they are alive and should be treated 
as living things. We do not dip them into boiling wax or expose them 
unnecessarily to heat and drought. Our Roses will grow. 
Plant Roses in November, December, January, February, March, 
and April 
The Grading of Roses 
The public is led to believe in many cases that all two-year-old Roses 
are one grade. That is not so, for Roses are graded according to standards 
set by the American Nurserymen’s Association. The difference between 
No. 1, IVz, 2, or 3 grades is such that unless one is familiar with com¬ 
parative grades he is easily misled. Investigate where and what you are 
buying. Do not be misled by cheap prices for low grades. The best is 
never costly. We handle over 35,000 Rose bushes in our nursery. Come 
out and see this fine, healthy stock. 
Rose Culture 
In deep, rich, heavy soil, even inclined to adobe, Roses are strong and 
vigorous, with flow 7 ers of great substance. But even in a light, sandy soil, 
Roses can be made to grow well, and they flower, as a rule, earlier than 
in heavy soil. To improve light soils, add clay, peat or adobe, and use our 
Special Sunset Fertilizer. See page 46. Do not apply strong fertilizers 
directly to the roots, but dust it on the surface and rake in slightly after 
the bushes are planted. 
Should the roots appear to be dry on arrival, mix up some soil and water 
and “puddle” the roots in it for several hours before planting. In plant¬ 
ing, thoroughly soak before adding the surface soil. This insures every 
portion of the root being thoroughly covered and prevents cracking of the 
surface. Frequent cultivating of the surface is absolutely necessary to 
keep th : s loose soil or “mulch,” especially after watering. Plant each bush 
so that the point where it is budded is 2 to 3 inches below the ground. 
Do not sprinkle the tops of Rose bushes in the late afternoon as it causes 
mildew and other fungous trouble. 
Pruning 
This should be done during December, January, and February. At that 
time the bushes are dormant. Cut iust above a prominent but dormant 
bud that points outward. It is difficult to give full information about 
pruning, but it might be summed up as follows: 
Remove all small, twiggy growth, cutting back to strong, well-ripened 
canes which are well furnished with healthy, b'g. dormant eyes. As a 
general thing, the entire top of the plant should be removed. See illus¬ 
tration above. 
Note: Our Roses are used by the U. S. Government. We supplied hun¬ 
dreds of bushes to the Letterman General Hospital at the Presidio, Fort 
Mason, Navy Yard, Mare Island, and other posts. Our Roses have the 
quality required by rigid Government inspection. You will make no mis¬ 
take in trusting us with your orders. Satisfaction guaranteed. 
All Prices in This Catalog are Subject to Change 
Without Notice 
Page 4 
SUNSET SEED & NURSERY CO 
