South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-10
Home Gardening
Hints-A Series
Roses and How to Grow
Them.

Observance before the fall and
spring planting. of a few consid-
erations not usually taken into &C
count by amateur rose growers. will
add greatly to the possibilities OF
the rose as a beautifier OF the town
or country home. The various uses
to which roses may be put in achiev-
ing ornamental effects and the care
that should be taken Of the plants
under different conditions are de-
scribed in Farmers Bulletin $50.
issued by the department
Roses are divided in the bulletin.
according TO their uses into: Roses
for lawn and border. roses for arbor
and trellis, cut-fiower roses. hedge
roses. roses for ground covers and
tree roses. Soil. fertilizing and plant
ing conditions for the several types
of roses are practically the same.
The types differ markedly. however,
in habits of growth and hardness,
and require, therefore, the applica-
ton of essentially different treat
ment in pruning and for propaga-
ton and protection.
Soils and Fertilizers.
The principal essentials in soils
for rose growing are thorough drain
age and a plentiful supply of organ
ic matter, with a reasonably con-
slant water supply during the grow
ing season. A soil capable OF grow
ing good garden or field crops is.
in general, good for roses. Rotted
COW manure is the best fertilizer.
Any other well-rotted manure or
compost will serve the purpose,
however. The use of fresh manure,
especially horse manure. should be
avoided. If used. under no circum-
stances should il be allowed to touch
the roots. OF the commercial fertil-
zers. ground bone is excellent, but
will not take the place of compost.
Cotton-seed meal may be used in
the same way as bone. Wood ashes
are sometimes a helpful addition.
Planting.
Planting distances for roses will
be determined by the purposes of
the planting and the habits of the
varieties chosen. ON lawns and along
borders the plants should be spaced
so that when they reach maturity
they will come together without
overcrowding. For cut roses a sep
arate bed should be maintained so
that special care can be given. Roses
i'm such a bed should be spaced
somewhat widely to facilitate
thorough cultivation. Climbing roses
require much plant food and should
he planted in a generously sized
hole filled with good soil.
Early spring planting is advisable
i'm the extreme northern portion Of
the United States and on the west
ern plains. In other regions fall
planting is advantageous. but the
difference is not sufficiently great to
warrant postponing planting from
spring until autumn when the rose
grower is ready at the earlier sea-
son. The planting in spring should
be done as soon as the ground is dry
enough TO work. The fall planting
should follow Immediately the fall
ing of the leaves from trees and
bushes I'm general rose plants should
be set out as soon as possible after
they arrive from the nursery. and
If il is impossible 10 plant i'm
mediately. the plants should be
placed i'm trench and the roots COW
cred II the stems are shriveled. vi
tally may be restored by burying the
whole plant for few days II frozen
rlants are received. they should be
placed where they will thaw out
gradually and should not be un-
hacked until the frost is thorough
~ out. In carrying the plants TO the
planting ground, care should he TAX
en- 10 have the roots covered. Prob
ably the best plan is to carry the
plants IN a bucket Of water.
Set the plants little deeper than
they we're during their nursery
growth. but he careful not 20 plant
too deeply. When drafted stock is
used the point of union should be
well under the surface OF the
ground. Trim the ends Of roots OF
dormant plants and spread the roots
OUT in the hole. Shake the plant up
and down as the dirt is filled in.
When the roots are covered. it is
we'll 20 tramp down the soil if it Is
not too wet. The plants may then
be watered IL necessary.
Pruning.
One pruning need which all types
OF roses have in common is for rad
zeal shortening at planting time.
From one-half to two-thirds OF the
wood should be removed After the
first year pruning for border and
lawn roses should consist in remov-
Ing dead or weak woed and cross
ing branches Cutting OF the ends
| OF branches should be avoided. 1t is
preferable 10 take out whole
branches. Every FIVE or six years
the whole top should be cut back
II is best 10 prune lawn roses in
the spring
In pruning climbing roses, there
must be a compromise between the
desire for forced growth Of new
wood for blossom bearing by remov-
| ing all Of the old wood and the de-
1 .~orrs-,e