h 
Peay Gl dee 
When you fertilize your roses, and especially during their first 
year, use a fertilizer high in potash and phosphorus, and low in 
nitrogen. The potash will add greatly to the health of your 
bushes and color of the blooms, while phosphorus adds to size — 
and color of flowers notably. But NITROGEN will force leaf and 
stem growth at the expense of vitality. Vitality and vigor are 
qualities altogether distinct. 
In this connection fix firmly in mind the fact that MANURE adds 
iostly nitrogen to your soil. Quick lush forced growth is not 
hardy resistant growth, you know. | | 
in any prepared plant food, listed for instance as 8-6-, the 
first Pigure given refers always to content by weight of nitro- 
gen; the second to phosphoric acid and the third to potash. Be 
sure to WATCH THESE FIGURES in any prepared fertilizer formula. 
Ir you live in a climate with frequent winter mild spelis, don't 
under any circumstances add a top dressing of manure or other | 
fertilizer to your‘rose beds during fall or winter. This may 
force growth during warm periods, which growth is then checked 
by ‘severe spells of weather, as a Consequence of which your rose 
Will be seriously devitalized when proper growing time comes. 
WIN? BR PY ORR Gs a ee ae 
The best winter protection is to hill earth up around the canes 
of the bushes to a height of at least 8 inches. Take every pre- 
Caution to have these mounds thoroughly WET when the freeze up 
comes. If the mounds freeze when dry the bushes may not survive. 
When the mounds are solidly frozen, cover with evergreen boughs © 
or similar loose open material. This is to keep the mound sold- 
ly frozen by giving it additional protection from winter sun- 
shine. If your bushes stay solidly frozen they will survive; if 
they alternately freeze and thaw you are probably in for trouble. 
PLEASE REMEMBER that rose bushes are living organisms, subject 
to effects of heat, cold, drought and hunger as well as disease. 
Treat them accordingly and they will flourish for you and give 
fresly of their beautiful blossoms for many years. 


