The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-22
ON CLIMBING ROSES
MIR. COOK WRITES AGAIN OF
 FLOWERS.
Many Valuable Pointers Given As To TFeatment of Climbing Roses Crimson Rambler And
 Queen of Prairies,

In another Interesting letter on Foses. William c. Cook, the landscape scientist. writes to The Advertiser. giving detailed ideas of treating climbing roses.
 The article follows:
 The glory and beauty of Mont Romery is in tho grand profusion of her climbing roses. What is more beautiful in the fIowery southern spring, than the rich riot of color given by the climbing or rambling roses? The southerner accepts roses as he does sunshine. as a matter of course, but to the lover of beauty newly arrived from a bleak northern climate, where the garden rose ekes out a starved existence, the southern rose garden Is a revelation. and never ceasing delight
 i''In the northern cities the crimson rambler. Baltimore belle and queen or the prairfes are old time favorites that have long held their own, and the past few years have witnessed the advent of the Helene, Dorothy Perkins and Psyche. With the two exceptions of Crimson Rambler and Dorothy Per kins, none attain that degree of sx- cellence which the finer varieties Of the noisette section do in the South yet greater perfection of bloom and vast improvement of growth can be made in many varieties by a little change in the treatment accorded them-notably in the pruning. which appears to have been neglected.
 "The month of February is the best time to prune and care should be taken to do the work properly. Never cut back the leaders (main shoots) or allow more than three or four to grow on one plant. Remove all dead branches and cut back the small side shoots to three or four eyes Some growers claim that the leaders should be renewed every third year, allowing strong young shoots to approach maturity before cutting out the old ones, but do not approve of this un- less the leaders are weakened by dis ease or insects.
 Many varieties such as marechal niel, salfatarie and chromatella suc- ceed best when budded on the moro robust varieties like Prairie Queen or the Crimson Rambler. Indeed. sew eral varieties may be budded on the same plant. if so desired Instances are known where as many as 110 diff ferent varieties have been budded on one plant, producing the effect of an enormous bouquet of many colored roses. Climbing roses thus budded or grafted on vigorous stock will not only make a better growth but the individual flowers will assume a firm CT texture and a slightly deeper color than when grown on their own roots
 Do not attach roses to the wall or dwelling. but train on a trellis. leav- ing a good twelve inches or more of air space between the vines and the wall. so as to allow ample oppor tunity for spraying. This should be done with the hose under a heavy pressure. In the southern climate the red spider is one of the worst enemies we have to contend with. and 1t can be conquered in no other way than by liberal application of cold water
 "The pillar roses or half climbers attain their greatest perfection when trained to the uprights of veranda or to 8 post, but also produce a beau tiful effect when planted in groups and allowed to intertwine with each other, or when allowed to climb over small trees or strong growing srub- bery. The climbing section of the rose family is an enormous feeder and require a large amount of phosphate to mature the great number of blooms they annually produce. This is best given to them by applying a liberal amount of pulverlzed bone, thorough ly worked in and around the roots in early spring just as the young buds are forming.
 "A heavy mulching should be kept on the roots at all times, nothing be- ing better than cotton seed or half decayed dairy manure. Apply in the fall and allow 1t to remain throughout the hot season, as 1t is ret@Httve of moisture and keeps the soil from bak- ing. The thick mulch also smothers weeds and obviates the necessity for near cultivation around the roots. | which is injurious to the rose. All other climbing or creeping vines should be kept away from them. as they are the aristocrats of the plant family and prefer to stay to them- selves. Il
 'Why every Southern home is not embowered in roses, fail to under stand. for no plant flourishes better than the rose in this land of balmy air and golden sunshine. and if it Is only given a half chance will. wherever It Is planted make the earth glad with its grace and beauty.
 s'Ramblers and creeping roses VIII he treated in a later article"
 William c. Cook.