1878.] 



AAA) HOR TICUL TURIS T. 



101 



when excessive, seems to draw a way the sap 

 from properly doing its work in the tree's lower 

 portions, or, in other words, destroys the equilib- 

 rium. Diminished growths then appear at the 

 base, exhibiting irregular, open spaces la the 

 foliage which in that part should be most dense. 

 The growth, forced aloft, becomes concentrated 

 farther and farther up the tree, until all S3mme- 

 try is destroyed, and we behold a monstrosity, 

 "where we had gloiued only a few j^ears before in 

 perfect proportion and grace. Silver Firs are 

 especially liable to this tendency, and conse- 

 quently are apt to possess their highest beauty 

 at a comparatively early age. 



An efficient remedy may be applied to all ever- 

 greens by pruning such shoots during youth, 

 until a satisfactory base is acquired, when a very 

 •occasional removal of the otfending member, 

 will readily prevent deformity. The fear which 

 sometimes exists that the amputated leader will 

 never return, is perfectly groundless ; although, 

 when the operation is performed on a plant of 

 considerable age, reappearance maj' be delayed 

 for several years. This delay will however, be 

 found rather a benefit than otherwise, as in the 

 meantime, the proper furnishing of the tree will 

 be established before any strength of the sap is 

 drawn off to assist the upward groAvth of the 

 leader. 



The lesson taught, of coiu-se, is that the equi- 

 librium of the various parts of the tree should be 

 always maintained by pruning any shoots that 

 evince rampant tendencies. Systematic manage- 

 ment will thus preclude the necessit}' of all severe 

 pi'uning in the sense of amputation. 



The simple processes hereby pointed out are 

 doubtless familiar to most experts ; but it has 

 heen our wish to secure from all who possess 

 evergreens, a greater attention to such operations. 

 It is simple pruning with thumb and finger, or 

 knife, and not shearing into formal shapes. Only 

 experience can afford an adequate conception of 

 the quality of growth thus retained. 



ROSES BLOOMING TO THE GROUND. 



MKS. C. S. JOKES, MONROE, MO. 



The rose is such a universal favorite, that one 

 need scarcely apologize for making any sugges- 

 tions that might appear likely to aid those who 

 (like myself) must have them blooming both 

 winter and summer. So much satisfaction have 

 I had in growing certain varieties pegged to the 

 ground, and so seldom have I seen this plan fol- 

 lowed, that I begin to think its beauty and vahie 



are not universally known ; hence the idea of 

 inviting the attention of your readers to this 

 special mode of propagation. 



The management is extremely simple : a deep, 

 rich loam in an open situation, but not exposed 

 to rough, high winds, and to select such varieties 

 as are known to do well as ordinary standards, 

 and are on their own roots. I find the following 

 very satisfactory : Madam Margotten, Madam 

 Bosanquet, Lamarque, La Pactole, Hermosa, 

 Devoniensis, Duchess de Brabant, Arch Duchesse 

 Isabella, Beauty of Greenmount, Agrippina, 

 Gen. Jacqueminot, Jean Goujon, La Reine, 

 John Hopper, and Washington ; all of which I 

 received with a hundred more from the nurseries 

 of the " Dingee & Conard Rose Co.," who, it is 

 well known, send out specially fine plants; not 

 one of mine at least, ever wilted. 



Do not attempt to grow worked roses in this 

 way, for the suckers from the old parent will 

 choke them. A bed for this purpose may be 

 started in March or October ; but whether in 

 Spring or Autumn, pack the surface of the bed 

 immediately after planting, and each spring 

 after pruning and clearing, tramp the soil down 

 firmly. This holds good I find with all rose 

 beds. 



If you use small plants, do not prune the first 

 year, but peg down all new shoots; for this pur- 

 pose I use strong hair-pins. If, however, they 

 are vigorous, cut down six or eight inches from 

 each shoot ; what we want here is a vigorous 

 growth, so as to have abundance of flowering 

 shoots the next year. Keep w^ atered the first sea- 

 son and cut off the ends of all flowering branches, 

 and the hips as soon as done flowering, and then 

 soak the bed with manure water, repeating this 

 every third day for a month, which will soon 

 start the plants into a new growth. 



These plants will become well established in a 

 year, and will grow on vigorously all the season, 

 sending up strong young shoots about three feet 

 in height, which, with the ever-blooming class, 

 will be a mass of flowers each month. Peg 

 down the young shoots over vacant spots of 

 rrround, and if too many are made, cut away the 

 weakest of them, and keep those pegged down 

 about eight inches apart. 



As a greater quantity of blooms are obtained 

 from young than from old wood, it will be seen 

 that each year the wood of the preceding season 

 is to be cut out. Before covering for the winter 

 remove the pegs, so as to allow it to rise up a 

 little from the ground and cut away the old 



