MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 43 
are seldom attacked and certain locations are much more 
subject to it than others. The disease generally makes 
its appearance in the autumn, when the nights begin to 
grow cool; at this season, however, it works but little harm, 
as the plants have made their growth and the wood is nearly 
or quite ripened. Bordeaux mixture is a very effective agent 
with which to keep rose mildew in check. It is conveniently 
prepared as follows: Dissolve one pound of copper sulphate 
(blue vitriol) in a bucket of water (at least one gallon) by 
placing the chemical in a sack so suspended over the bucket 
of water as to just dip into the latter. This procedure 
hastens solution. When dissolved, dilute the solution to six 
and one-quarter gallons and add one and one-half pounds 
of freshly slaked lime diluted to four gallons; then pour 
these two together. Finally, add enough water to make 
twelve and one-half gallons of the mixture. 
Winter Protection.—The work of protecting roses against 
the severe cold of the winter should be done by November 20, 
The earth should be heaped up around each plant to a depth 
of from two to three inches in order to provide drainage 
away from the center of the plant, and from four to six 
inches of straw manure should be placed over the entire 
surface of the bed. This treatment will protect any of the 
varieties previously mentioned, except the tree, or standard 
roses. ‘These are jaded at the crown and unless wrapped 
with hay or straw, freeze very easily. 
Pruning.—One of the most important considerations in 
rose culture is that of pruning. No directions can be given 
which will be sufficiently explicit to enable one to know just 
what to do in each individual case; practical experience alone 
can furnish this information. But the general sigan) ry that 
should be observed in pruning can be readily stated. As 
re tools, a pair of good shears and a pruning knife with 
a hooked blade are desirable. The work can be more quickly 
and easily done with the former, but where a very smooth 
cut is to be made, the pruning knife is preferable—also be- 
cause it is less likely to fois e bark. 
All ge should be done while the plants are dormant. 
The chief objects to be held in view in pruning roses are: 
the production of a symmetrical plant, and the promotion of 
flower bud formation. To secure these results plants of deli- 
cate habit and weak growth should be severely pruned. 
AS, arabe growers, on the other hand, should have the shoots 
only moderately shortened, but the branches well thinned 
out. In all cases the cut should be + across the stem 
in order to expose a minimum amount of wounded surface, 
