It is best to keep away from either extremely heavy or 
extremely light soil, for the loam soils will have more food 
in them. Any rotted vegetable matter (humus) mixed into 
the soil improves the texture and makes it better for the 
Roses. The best soil you can get is best soil for Roses. 
THE PH OF SOILS 
The acidity and alkalinity of soils is designated by 
P H . A neutral soil has a P H of 7, while anything less 
than 7 is acid, getting more and more so as the number 
becomes smaller, and anything above 7 is alkaline, get¬ 
ting more and more so as the number grows larger. 
It has been found that Roses are very tolerant. They 
will grow in a soil from 4.5 P H up to 8 P H , but the 
best growing conditions seem to be found in a soil that 
is neutral or slightly acid—that is, around 6 or 7 P E 
Lime, in almost any form, can be used to make soils more 
alkaline and sulphur to make them more acid.. 
FEEDING 
Bonemeal is the only fall fertilizer for Roses that is 
recommended. After the ground has become frozen, apply 
fresh strawy manure if it is procurable. In the spring, 
when the bank of soil is removed, apply Wyant Rose Food, 
or else a complete chemical fertilizer, to the established 
plants but not to newly set Roses. Wyant Rose Food is 
recommended, because it is of organic composition rather 
than chemical, and even after long usage does not make 
the soil toxic, nor burn, as a chemical fertilizer will. Much 
fertilizing will produce much bloom, so during June or eariy 
July make another application to new as well as to estab¬ 
lished Roses, and then again in the latter part of August, 
not after September 1st. Each time, apply about a handful 
to medium strong bushes, less to weaker, and more to 
stronger bushes. 
WATERING 
If the soil around your Roses is kept cultivated, it will 
seldom be in need of watering. However, during an extend¬ 
ed drought, it is advisable to water. When you do water 
your Roses, soak the ground thoroughly for hours and 
then do not repeat for a week. It does no harm to wet 
the foliage occasionally so as to wash it off, but ordinarily it 
is recommended that watering be done on the ground at 
the base of the plants. 
An application of peat put on in July and left the rest 
of the season helps to retain moisture and keeps the soil 
cooler and better condition for Rose growing. 
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