The Practical Book of Outdoor Rose Growing - George Thomas

I recently purchased this book for $ 1.50 at a book sale.
Title: The Practical Book of Outdoor Rose Growing,,by George C Thomas junior.
There were 5 editions,,1914,1915,1916,1917 and this one 1920. This 5th edition is the same as the others with an extra chapter at the end entitled Rose Development from 1917 to 1920.
Chapters include:: Propagation,best varieties,new introductions,climbers,Location and preparation,Planting,Pruning,Cultivation and general Information and hints on hybridizing.
Comments: Thomas was an independently wealthy Amateur Rose grower and breeder,with one of Americas largest private collections.At this time he lived in Philadelphia.
This is an excellent book. The book details a fastidious and observant person , and his writings include internal debate and evaluation of all aspects of Roses,based upon his ongoing experience. This is valuable because it is written at the crossroads of Rose development and includes changes such as:
Grafting vs Own Roots,,,Manetti vs Briar vs Multiflora,the latter having just arrived.
The onslaught of the new Hybrid Teas,which were overwhelming the Hybrid Perpetuals and Teas.
The explosion of Wichurian and Multiflora Ramblers,,usurping the Noisettes an climbing Teas.
The recent introduction of Pernetianas.
He lists with extensive detail his best varieties of Roses as well as a main list of 160 plants.
The best varieties include colour,fragrance,growth habit,foliage,shape,no of blooms,hardiness and disease resistance.etc etc.The majority are HT's,with a scattering of HP's and Teas.
He is quite critical of disease prone and weak growing types , faults which he finds with many of the new HT's. There are 99 good quality colour plates,mostly of ht's.
The chapters on preparation,cultivation and pruning are detailed and include over 40 half tone plates,many of which demonstrate dual pictures comparing the same rose either grafted differently,or pruned differently etc. This is part of his evaluation process.
These days books often gloss over points of pruning etc but I found the detail on Ht pruning somewhat informative and valuable.
Many of his techniques are still in vogue e.g use of lime sulfur at pruning,prepreparing beds,use of manure and potash, theories about the energy of plants, summer dormancy.An understanding of disease including Black spot being a fungus.
He describes Rugosas,Austrian Briars,chinas,bourbons and noisettes as needing practically no pruning,except for the removal of dead wood.
While the book is written mainly to suit his area of hot summers and frozen ground winters,he acknowledges that California and the south are most suitable for teas,chinas and Noisettes.
Some gems in the writing include...Page 142..Mr E. M Rosenbluth,of Wallingford Pennsylvania, secures better drainage for his roses by Dynamiting the foundations of his beds.
page 177...Blood diluted with water is sometimes used as fertiliser.Mr taylor applied this alternatively with manure water,his recipe is 5 pounds of blood to a barrel of water.etc..a precursor to blood and bone!
Page 178..for aphids,,A very effective remedy for them which will greatly check their future development is to spray with a solution of tobacco stems and whale oil soap!
I give this book 5 out of 5 and evaluate it from 2 points of view.
In its day it would have been invaluable information for all growers including those wishing to hybridize,the chapter being similar to todays techniques.
And secondly from todays point of being historically significant and informative as well.
Further info on George...
He was the son of one of Americas wealthiest bankers,and was a banker himself.
He was an aviator during latter part of WW1.
His overwhelming passion was roses,the book includes a great photo of his test beds which were extensive.
In 1919 he sold up in Philadelphia and moved to California to an 80 hectare property.I can't find any specific reason for this move but I like to think he tired of the difficult growing conditions in the east and wished for warmer climes.Indeed it was here that most of his notable roses were bred includeing the extensive bloomfield range.His most notable roses include Bloomfield Courage,,with a mix of wichuria and Multiflora genes, Dr Huey,,bred for his great friend to whom he dedicates this book, Bloomfield endurance and Bishop Darlington. His roses utilised not just wichuria and multiflora but Noisette,,incl Reve D'or.,Gloire de Dijon,
Early hybrid musks like danae and moonlight, and interestingly kitty Kinmouth!
He is also well known as a designer of golf courses in california,several which exist today and still rate in the top 100.His book Golf Architecture in America,,1927 is very collectable. Perhaps his Rose world and ideas was a help in his Golf world?
He was born in 1873 and died in 1932.
Charles Quest-Ritson mentions that it is said that the day after he died his widow burned all his roses,books and manuscripts. A genuine Rose widow??

whipvet, looks like a book everyone should have. I'd love a copy or a chance to read your book when you next visit.

Will do Bruce,very welcome to borrow.
Have been fortunate to also obtain first editions of a few others including Dean
Hole's 1869 Abook of roses, and Ellwanger's Roses.
Will be in touch.