Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-03-09
Helena, Montana, Thursday March 9, 1882.
Rose Culture in France.

The south ofFrance possesses a large num-
ber of extensive rose-tree plantations. A
writer speaking of them says the produce is
almost exclusively devoted to manutactu-
ring purposes
The planting of the rose-tree takes place
in February or March, after the preparatory
labors have all been completed. They are
arranged i'll rows, distant one yard from
each other, with an intermediate space of II
inches between each tree. There are two
methods of planting the rose-tree, the one
by means of the spade, the other (du plantoir)
by simply making hole with the trowel
for planting the tree in it. The first the
older method) deserves the preference ON
account Of its offering a greater amount of
security than the second for the successful
growth of the young trees, the vigorous de-
velopement of which, under ordinary cir
cumstances, may be regarded as certainty.
The defect of this method las considered in
the eyes of the cultivators is the loss of
time, as it is impossible to plant more than
300 to 400 trees day, whilst the newer
method-by digging hole in the ground to
hold the tree-haS the advantage of ena-
bling the planting of at least 800 young
rose trees daily. OF these, however, con-
siderable number are apt to decay and die off.
4 hectare is calculated to hold 10000 rose
trees, if the conditions necessary for the
growth of the plants Qn regard to the ar
rangement otthe space, as mentioned abOve)
have been observed.
The gathering Of the roses takes plac G in
the month Of May, always during the earlier
hours Of the morning. The first years har-
vest is hardly sufficient to cover the expen-
ses of planting, and the maintenance Of the
plantation. The result of the second year
is generally more favorable the average pro-
duce of roses being estimated at 200 grammes
per tree \ hectare planted with 10000
trees, might under ordinary circumstances
be made to produce 5000 kilogrammes of
rose blossoms.
The productiveness from the cultivation
of roses is generally of considerable impor-
tance a hectare Of the value of 10000 feet
is calculated to produce from the third year
of its existence-exclusive Of all expenses.
and for period of from 13 to Is years
about 1900 feet annually, or about % per
cent Of the original capital.
The employment in France of the produce
from the rosc-tree is not only manifold, but
also very profitable; the rose being unques-
tionably the most requested among the flow
ers from the use of which the manutactur-
ers of perfumes draw the utmost value. To
demonstrate the enormous extent to which
it is utilized, it will simply be necessary to
state that the manufacturers of perfumes in
the Departments of Les Alpes Maritimes
alone require above 100000 kilogrammes of
roseblooms every year. A considerable value
is also derived, throughout the south of
France, by the manufacture of rose-water
essence of roses. A kilogramme of the finest
quality of such essence of roses is estimated
at value of from ,S00f to 2,O0Of. The
only drawback to the cultivation of roses
are continued dryness in the spring, or frosty
weather after the blossoming has commenced.
Mild and moist spring weather is best
suited for producing a favorable develope-
ment and great productiveness Of roses.