Evening star., 1932-09-30

A correspondent wants to know II
rosebushes should be fertilized at this
time, adding that books and articles
upon the subject never 60 into this
phase of the matter.
There is no point in fertilizing roses
at this time Of the year. Fertility IS
largely for growth and bloom. and out
door roses are about through growing
and blooming.
Nature intends them to rest, but they
cannot do so II stimulated into re-
newed growth in the Autumn.
Fertilizers properly may be given
chrysanthemums and other later flow
ering things. They need food for their
flowers.
Roses, however, are now preparing
for their Winter repose, an essential in
their life cycle.
The queen Of flowers does not love to
queen 1t always.
She needs rest as much as any other
sovereign.
Even the mighty ones Of the earth
are essentially like their humble sub
jects.
In mankind or in fowerdom 1t is the
same
The rose, commonly regarded as the
most beautiful and best loved flower,
fulills the same cycle as the little but
tercup.
There is a period Of growth and flow
ering, followed by a slowly beginning
rest, turning at last into an entirely
dormant period.
Dormancy is not a precise, unvary-
ing state In the plant world.
1t may even include some growth.
This Is true even Of roses.
A good bush of stout variety, such
as Red Radiance, If planted In a pro-
tected position, near a house wall, where
some heat can reach it, will keep its
leaves green the year around.
Those acquainted only with roses in
beds will find such planting an inter-
esting experiment. RoSarians know that
the leaves of their favorite bushes are
among the real beauties of the plants.
Some of the most famous rose growers,
in actual life in their own home gardens,
spend more time admiring the beautiful
bronZy-red growthS of early Spring than
they put on bud and blossom.
This comes about because the flower,
in all its glory, Is known to every one
who ever admires the rose, whereas the
lovely leaves, before ever "black-spot'
or other ailment has had time to attack
them, are among the least noticed OF
the beauties of the bush.
Leaf loveliness, therefore, may be ac-
counted the connoisSeur's peculiar point
of admiration. He comes to this pitch
after some years Of experience in rose
growing. While he properly estimates
the beauty of bud and flower, he finds
time t6 admire those points which the
beginning rose grower overlookS, or Is
not as yet able to estimate at their
proper worth
BY planting few roses near the wall
Of the house, from 10 inches to 2 feet
away, on the south side, he Is able to
have green leaves on his bushes almost
II months in the year.
He may have roses in December, even,
not many, or very good blooms, Of
course, but actual, bona flde roses,
which will be the admiration and Won
der of all who behold them.
Perhaps man will never get over the
desire to create admiration in others
When that day arrives, new heaven
and new earth will open to mankind;
in the meantime, flower lovers will not
be satisfied with growing fine plants for
their own admiration; they will want
their neighborS to wonder at them, too
OF course, this state Of affairs has its
wholesome side. 1t means, or at least
it ought to mean, bigger and better
roses, and more roses on every side, al
ways good thing, If love of roses goes
with them.
And, may it be said in passing, love
of roses is the first ingredient in the
amateur rosarian's code, if he is to per-
severe in his attempts. for there is nc
more trying flower in all the world than
this selfsame beauty. this queen OF
flowers.
More temperamental than an opera
star is supposed to be. more treacher-
GUS than a jackal, more tickle than a
gold digger" the rose is still the queen
of all the flowers, and the best beloved
Her very indifference intrigues her lov-
ers. They court her when they fail,
and grow humble when they are sue
cessful