PLANT ROSES NOW

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 171, 6 August 1937, Page 14

PLANT ROSES NOW

During the month of August and for several more weeks to come, the garden stores will be offerinpj big stocksoi' the "•Queert oi' All Flowers. lor rosc planting time is here. Many of our readers are rose e»U»"

siasts, so our few guiding remarks will be mainly to those who have just emmarked upon this delightful branch of home gardening. Firstly, the location of site is important. lioses will never do any good under the branches of trees. Place them well away from such, and all skrubbery gjrowth, as the roots of these usually extend further than their branches. Select if possible, an open situation, i.e., where the plants will get plenty of air and sunshine, yet sheltered, if possible, from high winds. It is not neeessary nor even desirable, however, that there should be unbroken sunshine all day, especially during the summer weather. . The ideal soil is what may be termed a clay loam. This is of an adhesive nature^ but should be sufficiently porous to permit ready drainage of surplus water. Any good garden soil, however, whdch will produce good vegetables, will, with proper fertilisation, yield roses. A too heavy soil may be improved by working in a little coarse sand and vice versa. The most desirable manure is organic, and wherever obtainable partAally rotted cow manure is to be pref erred. i It can be used most liberally without any danger of burning; it is also most useful in holding moisture in the soil. Horse manure, when new, is very heating, and should not be used whdle in this. condition except as a winter mulch, and even then should not be applied heavily at once — several light applications a day or two apart being better. Sheep and fowl manure are also recommended. Whatever manure is used, it is very essential that same be tlioroughly broken up, and mixed with the soil, and (if this is done in a very thorough manner quxte new manuro may, if neeessary, be used. Ground lime ds probably the best substitute. This may be used separately or to supplement animal manures. After the beds are well dry, scatter the lime on the surface until the ground is nearly covered, then with the use of a fork, mix it quickly and thoroughly with the already fine sou.