Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-06-14
7AsHINGToN, D. c., June 8. - What
w the tulip is to Holland, the rose is
to America

wv the tulip is to Holland, the rose is
to America.
The fact is emphasized by the convention
here of the American Rose society, which
consists of 1000 experts. These ma. be re-
garded as the representatives In rose con-
gress of the millions Of amateur rose grow
crs all over the country.
For roses have come to be one of our larg-
est crops Suburban and city jewellers who
have little soil at their disposal, and de-
sire to cultivate it, turn more and more to
the production of roses.
| These rose growers are friends Of the race,
for they add to the beauty and thereby to the
Joy of life. Our country has been called ugly
with it's neat and gaudy little frame houses,
it's general air of being new, unfinished and
crude. But the cottage with it's porch bow
cred by climbing roses, or it's front yard fes-
TONED with rose bushes, is distinctly an or
nament.
The rose growers society is out with the
slogan of rose bush for every yard, and
their propaganda seems to, be getting results.
They now have number of rose test gardens
situated in different parts Of the county, SO
that experiments in rose growing can De maze
under varying conditions. There is one at
Cornell university, in New York; others
at Portland, Oregon; New Rochelle, New
York: Arlington, Virginia; Hartford, Con-
necticut; and st. Paul, Minnesota
The garden at Arlington owned by the de-
nartrnent OF agriculture and supervised Dy DE-
w. Van Fleet, government rose expert mas
nearly a thousand different varieties OF roses
from delicate single pink blooms like apple
blossoms, to enormous red and niue speoi-
mems made up of mass or petals
Dr. Van Fleet has also a few freaks IN MS
garden, among them a blue rose, which u.s.
like all blue roses, a dark, purpllsh Dlue
color. This speciment is a success in that
it can be grown satisfactorily, but 1t is not
admired by the government scientists VINO un-
hesitating1y pronounce 1t ugly
Natural Colors Best
The coloring admired by rose growers is a
clear, smooth red, pink or yellow, OF any
shade. Success in producing perfect rose III
a natural color is more laudable from tnS
rose scientists point OF view than treaN
product.
The points by which the American Rose
society Judges plants should be interesting 20
anv one who loves roses, because they are
a good standard by which to measure the
roses in a garden or vase anywhere. Iney
are also useful to any one selecting Varieties
of roses for garden.
outdoor roses are Judged on scale Of 100
nonts as follows: vigor, 20; flortterousness
abundance of blooms), 20; color, 10 SIZE
Is; form (shape, number OF petals): 1o' SUI
stance thickness Of petals) IL; fragrance
10. ,,t, ,.eeou
For cut flowers the scale is slightly ditfer-
ont. size. Is: color, 20; stem, 20; form. 10;
uGs
substance, Is; foliage, 10.
In a rose grown for cutting the stem SnoNla
he long and thick enough to support the rose
adequately. It is desirable that the leaves
he glossy and the bud pointed in the center
of the flower. A.o, r,,r-
In a bush selected for ornamental pur
noses long heavy stems are not so important
as vigor of the plant as whole. push u
this sort ranks high if it is prolific IN blooms
with attractive healthy foliage and blossoms
Keeping roses healthy is one OF the prop
lens of every grower. Insecticides and fungl-
cides more or less effective with different
diseases, are known and used. but rose grow
ers aim to produce plants that in themselves
are more vigorous and hardy to resist at
tack. =,
Scientists are specially working on mil
dew one of the most destructive enemies OF
the outdoor rose. Until a few years ago.
nearly all the roses which were used as seed
lings were the ones most susceptible to mil
dew. The mildew-producing fungi would
settle on the>leaves and stem and with a III
tie encouragement from dampness, Would
spread and blight the whole plant. Inc
sturdiest stock from these bushes and vines
had the same inherited weakness. But lately
growers have abandoned many of the old IA
vorites and are using more resistant stock
for seedlings with encouraging results. No
absolutely mildew proof rose is known. but
leaves that are glossy and thick are said to
he more resistant than soft, furry leaves.
Selecting suitable roses is one OF the most
vital points of rose growing. Many persons