“‘ZEALOUS care brings big reward in growing,’ our professor told us.â€
Billy was perched in the fork of an apple tree. The two girls and his mother were sitting on the grass which made a thick carpet beneath its branches.
“He used to say it over so often that the fellows nicknamed him ‘Rosy,’†Billy went on.
“Oh!†exclaimed Mary Frances, “wasn’t that awful!†but she and Eleanor giggled, and even her mother smiled.
“You didn’t call him that, though?†said Eleanor.
“Not when he could hear me,†laughed Billy. “But if I’m going to give you this lesson we must make a start. The subject, by the way, is—
Before you can make a list of the roses you wish to order, you must understand something about the state in which they will be when received, how far apart they may be planted, and—
Before you can make a list of the roses you wish to order, you must understand something about the state in which they will be when received, how far apart they may be planted, and—
Roses like warmth and air. They love to drink, but they do not like wet feet.Knowing these things, you will select for your rose bed an airy, sunny place on the south side of a building or wall, if possible, where the ground is not so low that it will hold moisture long.Having decided what is the best place you can offer your roses, you will want to know—
Roses like warmth and air. They love to drink, but they do not like wet feet.
Knowing these things, you will select for your rose bed an airy, sunny place on the south side of a building or wall, if possible, where the ground is not so low that it will hold moisture long.
Having decided what is the best place you can offer your roses, you will want to know—
1. Do not buy too many plants for the space. Do not make the bed over five feet wide. If wider, you will tread on the soil and make it heavy.2. Remember, roses are usually planted twenty-one inches apart. (Do not plant Wichuraiana or Rugosa roses in the bed.)Alternate the plants, as shown in the following diagram:(1) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (2) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (3)(5) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (4)(6) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (7) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (8)This saves garden space, and gives room for the roots.3. To be beautiful, roses must have plenty of good food. Sodig deep;eighteen inches is a good depth. Fill this space with a mixture of soil and well-rotted stable manure. It is best not to let the roots of the roses touch the manure. Sprinkle alittle soil over the manure before putting the plant into its place. If the ground is very damp, dig deeper than two feet and throw in a basket of stones, through which the water will drain.4. Roses are received from the dealer either growing in pots, or dormant (dry), or with little balls of earth around the roots wrapped in damp moss.The young inexperienced gardener will do best with the potted plants, but if the plants are dry and dormant (dormant meanssleeping), it is well to soak the roots before planting. Never expose damp roots to the air. Keep in water or damp earth until planted.
1. Do not buy too many plants for the space. Do not make the bed over five feet wide. If wider, you will tread on the soil and make it heavy.
2. Remember, roses are usually planted twenty-one inches apart. (Do not plant Wichuraiana or Rugosa roses in the bed.)
Alternate the plants, as shown in the following diagram:
(1) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (2) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (3)(5) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (4)(6) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (7) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (8)This saves garden space, and gives room for the roots.
This saves garden space, and gives room for the roots.
3. To be beautiful, roses must have plenty of good food. Sodig deep;eighteen inches is a good depth. Fill this space with a mixture of soil and well-rotted stable manure. It is best not to let the roots of the roses touch the manure. Sprinkle alittle soil over the manure before putting the plant into its place. If the ground is very damp, dig deeper than two feet and throw in a basket of stones, through which the water will drain.
4. Roses are received from the dealer either growing in pots, or dormant (dry), or with little balls of earth around the roots wrapped in damp moss.
The young inexperienced gardener will do best with the potted plants, but if the plants are dry and dormant (dormant meanssleeping), it is well to soak the roots before planting. Never expose damp roots to the air. Keep in water or damp earth until planted.
Unless grown in pots, spread out the roots and pack the earth firmly about them, putting the plant deep enough to bring earth three inches over the “bud†or graft.
Unless grown in pots, spread out the roots and pack the earth firmly about them, putting the plant deep enough to bring earth three inches over the “bud†or graft.
depends on where you live.In general, Spring is the best time, but in the South and on the Pacific coast, Autumn is best.Some of thehardiestsorts will grow well, when set out in the Fall, even in places where the winters are severe.Now, the bushes are planted, and we will think about—
depends on where you live.
In general, Spring is the best time, but in the South and on the Pacific coast, Autumn is best.
Some of thehardiestsorts will grow well, when set out in the Fall, even in places where the winters are severe.
Now, the bushes are planted, and we will think about—
The chief cares for roses are:1. Cultivating, or stirring the soil.2. Feeding.3. Destroying insect enemies.4. Pruning.You already understand the importance of cultivating and the importance of feeding the plants.
The chief cares for roses are:
1. Cultivating, or stirring the soil.
2. Feeding.
3. Destroying insect enemies.
4. Pruning.
You already understand the importance of cultivating and the importance of feeding the plants.
Two of the best foods for roses and easiest to use, are bone dust and dried sheep manure, which you can buy at the seed store. These you may dig into the soil as you cultivate, being sure not to let the fertilizers directly touch the roots.
Two of the best foods for roses and easiest to use, are bone dust and dried sheep manure, which you can buy at the seed store. These you may dig into the soil as you cultivate, being sure not to let the fertilizers directly touch the roots.
1. Rose Bugs.2. Aphids.3. Rusts and Mildews.4. Borers and other chewing insects.There are several different kinds of beetles, called rose bugs, which come up out of the ground where they have spent the winter, just at the time of the most abundant and beautiful blooming.In the Middle Atlantic States they stay in a place about two weeks.The best way to rid a plant of these enemies of roses which “eat them alive,†is to hand-pick them, throwing them into a can of kerosene.There is a patent preparation which is good. Write your dealer for information as to this.Treat for other insects as you have already learned.If your parents think you may be trusted to handle a poison, spray in the early Spring with “Bordeaux Arsenate of Lead†to prevent mildew and rust. In summer, use Flowers of Sulphur.Now, as to—
1. Rose Bugs.
2. Aphids.
3. Rusts and Mildews.
4. Borers and other chewing insects.
There are several different kinds of beetles, called rose bugs, which come up out of the ground where they have spent the winter, just at the time of the most abundant and beautiful blooming.
In the Middle Atlantic States they stay in a place about two weeks.
The best way to rid a plant of these enemies of roses which “eat them alive,†is to hand-pick them, throwing them into a can of kerosene.
There is a patent preparation which is good. Write your dealer for information as to this.
Treat for other insects as you have already learned.
If your parents think you may be trusted to handle a poison, spray in the early Spring with “Bordeaux Arsenate of Lead†to prevent mildew and rust. In summer, use Flowers of Sulphur.
Now, as to—
Prune rose bushes in the early Spring, just when the plantsbeginto show green, which means that their sap is beginning to flow. Use pruning for cutting the stems back.Remember these principal rules:1. Hybrid Perpetual Roses should be cut back about two feet from the ground.2. Cut back Hybrid Tea Roses more sparingly, that is, farther from the ground than Hybrid Perpetuals.3. Cut back Tea Roses only a short distance.4. Cut only the dead wood from the other kinds.Pruning cuts off the ends of the branches and causes the plant to throw out strong joints from the eyes along the canes, which will bear flowers.
Prune rose bushes in the early Spring, just when the plantsbeginto show green, which means that their sap is beginning to flow. Use pruning for cutting the stems back.
Remember these principal rules:
1. Hybrid Perpetual Roses should be cut back about two feet from the ground.
2. Cut back Hybrid Tea Roses more sparingly, that is, farther from the ground than Hybrid Perpetuals.
3. Cut back Tea Roses only a short distance.
4. Cut only the dead wood from the other kinds.
Pruning cuts off the ends of the branches and causes the plant to throw out strong joints from the eyes along the canes, which will bear flowers.
“My,†exclaimed Mary Frances, as Billy closed his book suddenly and jumped to the ground. “Is that all about roses?â€
“No, dear,†answered her mother. “No, that is just a ‘first beginning,’ as you used to say when you were little.â€
“Speaking of insect enemies, I see the wicked rose bugs have eaten into the hearts of the most beautiful roses we own,†went on her mother.
“Come,†cried Mary Frances, “let’s go see if we can find them—and drown them in kerosene.â€
“Oh, but I’m afraid of them!†shuddered Eleanor.
Mary Frances laughed. “They won’t hurt you!†she said, running ahead. “I bet I can catch the first hundred!â€