Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1877 — How to Grow Roses in Open Ground. [ARTICLE]

How to Grow Roses in Open Ground.

It is doubtless well understood that no invariable rules -can be laid down for rose or plant culture. The few hints that we have room to give, point, we believe, in the direction of success; but the particular needs of plant-life require daily attention and study. Having given a few general directions, the rest may be left to the good judgment of each practitioner. Many well-infermed persons appear to think tbat roses are difficult to manage, and will not bloom without some special or mysterious treatment net generally understood. Now, .nothing coula well Le further from the truth. We believe there is no flower of proportionate value that can be had so -easily and with so little trouble. The pose is a good feeder, and will do well in any ordinary fertile ground, but is, of course, improved bv rich soil and thorough cultivation. It is always best to plant them in beds or masses, and not singly. The ground should be well spaded and pulverized to the depth of a foot or more, and enriched by digging in any fertilizing-inaterial that may be convenient. Make the bed of any size or shape that suits your fancy; only remember that roses appear to best advantage by theenueioeii. Therefore, make the bed only large enough for the roses you intend to plant. If you wish other flowers, make other beds.; do not put them with the roses.

Planting.— Set the plants .about six inches from the edge of the bed, and one foot from each other.. Make a hole large enough to allow the roots to be spread out nicely, cover with fine soil rather deeper than they were grown, and pack down tightly with the hand. Protection. — In spring planting it will generally be beet, though not always necessary, to protect the plants for a few days from the sun and chilling winds, until they become somewhat accustomed to their new position. One of the best ways we know of doing this is suggested by Mrs. Hull, of Oortlandt, X. Y. She uses paper grocery bags, turning the bags completely over the plant, whack should be supported by one or more small sticks and heaping on a little earth to keep it in place. Water.— ls the ground is dry when planted, water thoroughly so as to soak the earth down to the roots of the plants. After this, do not water too often—like persons, plants want water only when they are thirsty. Let them get thirsty before giving them a drink. Cultivation. — After the plants are established they need but little attention, except that the ground should not be allowed to bake or become hard, but should be frequently cultivated with hoe and rake, or other implements, so as to keep it light and friable, as well as clear from weeds and grass. Boses of the everblooming class will begin to bloom almost as soon as they commence to grow, and as the plant gains in strength and size, the flowers will increase in number and beauty, until the whole bed is a mass of bloom. Faded flowers should be removed dally; besides adding to the neat appearance of the beds, this encourages fresh bloom, as the effort to produce seeds weakens the vitalitv of the plant and hinders its growth. This is particularly applicable to the Hybrid Perpetual class, some of which are rather shy autumn bloomers, unless care is taken to keep them growing vigorously during the summer. At the approach of winter, it is a good plan to give the bed a covering oi coarse manure, forest leaves, partially decomposed sods, road scrapings, or any

similar material that is convenient; thia serves as a slight protection, besides Inducing a strong early growth the following season. Pruning.— When dressing up the beds in the spring, all the dead shoota should be cut off down to the live wood; besides this not much pruning is required, ex cept what may be necessary to keep the plants in reasonable shape and limit.— New Guido to Rcee Culture.