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Preparation of Rose Beds
Roses have very definite requirements when it comes to site, soil, and care, and if one is desirous of success it is well to make up one's mind in the very beginning to cater to their whims and fancies.
The ideal location for the rose garden is on a gentle southern slope with protection from strong winds on the north. Low damp spots should be avoided, and it is essential that the beds should have full sunlight for at least the greater portion of the day. Care should be taken to protect the beds from the incursions of hungry tree roots which rob the soil of both moisture and fertility.
A well-drained, very fertile soil of rather heavy texture is considered best for most types of roses, although the requirements of the different classes vary slightly. Good drainage is essential at all times. In poorly drained soils that are likely to become waterlogged during a period of heavy rains, artificial drainage must be provided. This may be accomplished by trenching the beds to a depth of about two and one-half feet and placing a six-inch layer of crushed stone or cinders in the bottom of the trench. Where underdrainage is not necessary, the preparation of the beds will vary according to the condition and texture of the soil.
Where the soil is poor it is by far the wisest plan thoroughly to trench and enrich the beds before planting is attempted. The top layer of soil should be removed, the subsoil should be loosened, and well-rotted manure and rich compost should be forked thoroughly into it. Lime, bone meal, and generous quantities of manure (preferably cow manure) should be incorporated in the topsoil as it is replaced. If it is of sandy character, some stiff clay soil should be added. The texture of the soil will depend some-what upon the type of roses to be grown. Hybrid Perpetuals and the more vigorous growing Hybrid Teas prefer a decidedly heavy clay soil. Tea roses and the more delicate Hybrid Teas usually thrive better on a slightly lighter type of soil. The Busy Gardener's Rose Some roses are much more particular and exacting when it comes to diet and care than are others. If one intends to go into rose growing on an extensive scale and to grow some of these more rare and fastidious varieties, one must be prepared to spend time, thought, and expense upon their culture. There is one rose, however, which might well be termed "the busy gardener's rose." It is La France, and it has much to commend it. It is a soft silvery pink in color, is a strong and vigorous grower, and will thrive better on poor soil than almost any other variety. It is of interest to know that La France was the first of all Hybrid Tea roses. It resulted from a cross between the Hybrid Perpetual rose Mme. Victor Verdier and the Tea rose Mme. Bravy, and was introduced in 1867 by Guillot Fils. In the sixty years since its introduction many new varieties have been offered to the public, but comparatively few have stood the test of time and maintained their popularity for more than a half century.