the trellis. The weak branches of Polyanthas should be cut down 
and the strong ones shortened one-half. 
SOILS 
In years past, the opinion was that Roses should have a clay soil, 
but Wyant Roses will grow in almost any soil, if it has food or 
humus incorporated into it. 
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 PH. A neutral 
soil has a PH 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, getting 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 to 7 P H . 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 early July make another 
application to new as well as to established Roses, and then again 
Center illustration shows fine vigorous roots of a WYANT ROSE as 
compared with the poor root development of ordinary roses so often 
sold as No. 1 stock. 
7 
