Roses in California [pp. 191-197]

Roses in California.
Bennett, W. A. Richardson, Bon Silene.
Climbers: Marechal Niel, Claire Carnot,
Chromatella, Madame Marie Berton, La
Marque, La Reine, Solfaterre, Setina, Caro line Goodrich-the latter a fine, red climber
after the style of General Jacqueminot. The
yellow and the white Banksia, though bloom ing but once a year, cannot be omitted.
Among Moss roses, the so called perpetuals
have not proved a satisfactory addition; the
older varieties are still the best. Among
these the Comtesse de MIurinais, the Ecla tante and the Crested Moss are reliable; the
latter was found on the walls of the Convent
at Fribourg. and has always been a favorite,
as it is usually free from mildew. Of the
Hybrid Teas, La France and Michael Saun ders are the best, nearly all of the others fad ing in this climate, thus proving a disappoint ment.
Concerning seedlings, several florists of
our State are making valuable experiments,
and their seedlings are among the thousands
in number; but none are prepared to an nounce new varieties as yet, though some
very promising ones are being developed.
Some seedlings from Comptesse de la Barthe,
La Sylphide, and Safrano are of especial
promise, and.we shall look with interest for
further developments. Careful inquiry shows
that much interest is being felt here on this
point, and the future will show valuable results. Some promising seedlings are being
exhibited at the Rose Festivals of Southern
California. California should, with her long
seasons and favorable climate, give some
prominence to these experiments. England
and France sena out yearly large numbers of
new roses, and among them we have secured
types and additions of permanent value.
Nearly all of our best varieties are the product
of the last twenty-five years, and are largely
the result of the careful experiments of the
last decade.
Concerning the culture of roses, we have
something to learn from other nations. Fair
results have been reached with so little labor
on the part of the grower, that we have paused
there. When we shall have reached the
maximum of care bestowed upon French and
English rose gardens, where operations are
conducted with mathematical precision and
unfailing devotion, we shall see marvelous
results. When we shall prepare roses f?or ex hibition two years in advance; when we shall
study our soils and conditions with a seventh
floricultural sense, born of an intense enthu siasm for our work; then we shall see results
worthy of the climatic conditions with which
nature has endowed us. Just here lies our
danger; so much has been given that we
allow it to suffice, and are satisfied with a
thousandfold less than we might receive.
Regarding the pruning, much depends on
locality and variety. The cooler climate of
the coast permits a standard form, and higher
trimming than in the warmer valleys, where
the heat of summer requires shade for
healthy growth, and of necessity low culture.
During periods of rest the old wood should
be removed, leaving, if possible, from one to
three upright shoots from the root. A mat ter of vital importance is to commence train ing the rose from the first planting, and un less one is hampered by varieties addicted to
slow and awkward growths, a satisfactory result is attainable.
The old wood should be cut below the
ground; when young and vigorous shoots
are ready to take its place, awkward and
straggling side growths should be headed in
-though in this regard, prevention is better
than cure. Sacrifice bloom rather than allow
such growths, and the reward will come in
later days. In climbers, side pruning and
a selection of runners will be all that can be
accomplished. Beyond all these conditions
of success is the one of rapid growth.
When insects attack a rose grown out ot
doors in inland localities, it is usually an old
or an unhealthy plant. If the root finds luxurious plant food, the top will show splendid
results. An English florist gives an excellent formula for rose planting: Allow the
hole to be eighteen inches in depth, and
large enough to contain a "wheelbarrowful
of compost, two-thirds turfy loam, and onethird decomposed manure," and adds that
"it is difficult to give a rose too good a soil."
When California rosarians grow their roses
1885 ]
195