28 
C. H. STOCKING 
SOIL 
Roses prefer a fairly heavy slightly acid soil, although they will grow in 
almost any well drained ground. They will not grow well in a soil where there 
is an excess of either acid or alkaline. As most of our soil in California is more 
or less alkaline, it is quite necessary to use some substance to acidify the soil. 
Sulphur at the rate of lb. per sq. yd. twice a year is very beneficial. If soil is 
quite alkaline, use lb. of aluminum sulphate per sq. yd. once a year. 
PLANTING 
Several weeks in advance of receiving your roses it is advisable to spade the 
bed at least two feet deep, giving the ground a chance to aerate and settle before 
planting. Dig holes from 14 to 18 inches wide and 18 inches deep. A cup of 
steamed bone meal incorporated in the bottom of the hole with a few inches of 
surface soil is all the fertilizer advised to use at this time. Tramp the soil 
down well and cover with six inches of surface soil. Make a cone shaped mound 
in the center of the hole and place the crown of the roots on the apex of the 
mound. Spread roots to cover as much surface as possible. Fill just above the 
roots with surface soil and tramp down firmly. Fill hole with water two or 
three times so as to close up any air pockets that there might be. After the 
water has settled, the hole may be filled up level. Be sure to have bud union 
level with the surface or slightly above the ground. Plants have been moderately 
pruned ready for planting. 
PEST CONTROL 
Roses, like all other plants, have pests and diseases which may be controlled 
with a little effort. The most common of the diseases are mildew, rust, and in 
some sections, blackspot. In a warm climate dusting lightly once a week with 
a mixture of nine parts of dusting sulphur to one part of arsenate of lead will 
control these diseases. 
In a cool climate, a spray consisting of one measure (bottle cap) of “Green- 
leaf to a gallon of water has been found to be very efficacious. Remember thisi 
it is far easier to prevent diseases than to cure them. Spray or dust regularly 
every ten days beginning in early spring and continue until fall. It is more 
essential to cover the underside of the foliage with spray than the top. Aphids, 
red spider and other insect pests can be controlled by spraying when they appear 
with Extrax, pyrethrum or nicotine sprays. Extrax added to Greenleaf makes 
a very good complete spray. 
WINTER SPRAYS 
A clean-up spray after pruning consisting of 10 tablespoons of either Bordeaux 
or Lime Sulphur to one gallon of water is very effective to clean up the mildew 
and rust spores. Old leaves should be picked up and burned. 
CUTTING ROSES 
\\ hen cutting roses, leave three or four buds (above each leaf is a bud) of the 
new wood. Cut to an outside bud so as to keep the plant open which will help to 
prevent mildew and rust. 
Cut roses either late in the evening or early morning. Split or mash stems 
and plunge immediately in deep water up to the neck. Allow to stand for several 
hours to absorb water. Single roses should be cut in tight bud when color is just 
beginning to show between opening sepals; double roses as they start to unfurl. 
