102 
ROSES 
Planting. When the ground is thoroughly prepared—fine 
and in nice condition—put in the plant slightly deeper than 
it was before, spread the roots out evenly in their natural posi¬ 
tion, and cover them with fine earth, taking care' to draw it 
closely around the stem, and pack firmly with the hand. It 
is very important that the earth be tightly pressed clown on 
the roots. Budded Boses should be planted 3 inches below the 
bud, but in all cases avoid deep planting. A mulch of litter 
will be found very beneficial. 
Watering. If the ground is dry when planted, water 
thoroughly after planting, so as to soak the earth down below 
the roots, and, if hot or windy, it may be well to shade for a 
few days. After this not much water is required, unless the 
weather is unusually dry. 
Pruning. Old and decayed branches and at least half the 
previous season’s wood should be cut away early each Spring, 
and a little cutting-back after the first blooming will insure 
more late flowers. Climbing and Pillar Boses should not be 
cut back; but the tips of the shoots only should be taken off, 
and any weak or unripe shoots cut out altogether. 
Fall and Winter Treatment 
' In the Pall the Bose-becls should have a good dressing of 
stable manure or other fertilizer. The Winter rains will carry 
the strength to the roots, and the remaining matter makes a 
nice mulch, which in many places is all the protection necessary. 
Where the Winters are not very severe, tender Boses may be 
covered with clean rye-straw, leaves, or evergreen branches, not 
too thickly, but so as to permit considerable circulation of air 
and not to retain water; nothing should be used that will 
ferment, heat, or rot. The object of covering is to break the 
force of sudden and violent changes, particularly in March, 
when the plants should be protected from the sun rather than 
from cold, the sudden thawing of the frozen wood doing the 
damage. 
Books on Rose Culture 
For those who wish to go more thoroughly into the fine 
points of Bose-growing we recommend the “Manual of the 
American Bose Society,” which is supplied with a year’s mem¬ 
bership. For a more elaborate work we suggest the “Practical 
Book of Outdoor Bose-Growing,” by George C. Thomas, Jr. We 
shall be very glad to supply either of these books. 
