Evening star., 1934-10-13

IOSc STOWcIo uS W IAAC ACAoeA'c
desirability of Autumn and
Spring planting Of roses, the
trend has been sharply to Autumn
planting of late years. The major
arguments in favor Of Fall planting
are that the plants become estab-
lished during Winter, even to the
extent of putting forth some new
roots, and are, therefore, ready for
Spring. Spring is often cold and
wet and it Is difficult to plant early.
On the other hand, a Winter like
last may cause heavy losses to Fail
set plants. Considering the remote
possibility Of another season such as
last, Autumn Is still promising
planting season for roses and, as a
matter Of fact, for shrubs and trees
and other deep-rooted perennial
plants. Even with the rigors of last
season, roses that were planted cor
rectly and banked with soil for
or more inches came through safely
in most cases.
Most rose plants purchased from
the nurseryman are budded-that is,
consist of a sturdy root with the
selected variety budded In at the
crown. If banked with soil there is
comparatively little hazard Of all the
top being killed. In all events the
tops of newly set rose plants require
heavy pruning in early Spring and,
If the tops of the shoots are partly
injured, it makes little difference.
AS received from the nursery, the
roots of roses are often tied together
to reduce the size Of the package. In
planting the holes should be large
enough to permit spreading the roots
in natural position. With regard to
depth, this should be about the same
as the plant stood in the nursery.
The line is usually easily established
by difference in color of the bark.
1t Is well to place two or three hand
fuls of bone meal in the bottom of
the hole, covering it with some soil
before placing the plant.
Fall Rose Pruning.
Some Of the vigorous climbing roses
such as the Dorothy Perkins
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year, much more than is needed fol
effective display next Spring. 1t i.
suggested that some of the weaker
canes be removed this Autumn BY
cutting them of at the root crown
This thinning will not injure buds or
the remaining canes as it would ii
done in early Spring, and in addition
it will lessen the hazard of mildew BY
permitting light and air to reach the
new growth. 1t takes courage to work
on some of the climbers, but If one
can secure pair of leather gloves
and some long handled shears, part
of the hazard is Offset. There are Q
few thornlesS climbers, such as the
old Tausendschoen, but with most OF
the varieties thorns seem associated
with beauty.
Sunlight and Dahlias.
REYOND question, full sunlight, OF
at least the absence of shade and
water competition of trees, is essential
for successful dahlia growing. Like
the corn and some other plants, the
dahlia apparently cannot endure COM
petition with trees. One of Wood
ridges leading dahlia growers, who
has this season taken several impor-
tant prizes with his magnificent large
dahliaS, remarked that he was con.
vinced that dahlias need full exposure
to succeed. In support of this view
a Takoma home gardener some years
ago, who, fortunately or unfortunate
ly, as one may view it, possesses two
or three large oaks in his garden area
planted some choice dahlia varieties
with every kind of care. These were
watered throughout the Summer and
resulted In some splendid foliage and
few mediocre blooms. Fortunately
there are enough open gardens 1r
every community so that some fine
dahlias are grown. Light is required
to manufacture carbon compounds In
the leaves and apparently the dahlia
does not possess highly effective
metabolism except in full light. To
sum up, one Of the fundamental re-
quirements for growing the fine ex-
hibition dahlias is full sunlight.
Lily Culture.
MANY Of four lilies may be planted
to advantage in late Autumn. Al
a matter of fact, certain Of the specie:
that are imported from foreign coun-
tries are available only at this time
of year. The Madonna lily, Liliun
candidum, forms rosette OF leaves
in Autumn, which survive the Winter
and form the basis of next years de-
velopment. This species should be
planted in August or early September
| if possible. However, one grower re-
ports good results with Madonna bulbs
planted so late that the roSette oi
leaves could not develop in Autumn.
There are many desirable species ol
lilies, but relatively few that are con-
sistently successful except in the
hands Of the expert grower who has
learned the special requirements ano
habits of the various species. The
tiger lily, L. tigrinum, Is the sturdiesI
of all lilies and almost certain tc
thrive unless planted where watel
stands for considerable periods aftel
rain. The regal lily, L. regale, Il
also very satisfactory and Is much
more beautiful than the tiger. It
| large uhite tr1IrnDet flowers SJffuSeC