IRISH GARDENING. 



37 



whether the variety be a vigorous, inodorate, 

 or weak grower. The vigorous grower should 

 lie cut back to five or six buds on firm, well- 

 ripened wood of the past year's growth. The 

 moderate grower may have its shoots shortened 

 to three or four buds, and the weak grower re- 

 duced to two buds. Frcm each plant cutaway 

 all dead and decaying wood, and likewise all 



necessary scope for expansion. Leave thf 

 pruned shoots at regular and equal distances 

 to form a balanced plant, with the aim in view 

 of keeping an open centre, so that light and 

 air shall be freely admitted. At the first ap- 

 pearance of briar suckers emerging from the 

 surface of the soil, pull them up at once, right 

 back to the root if possible, as they would 



Rose ]\rns. John B.^teman 

 A Hybrid Toa Chiim Rose Colour, 



gross, unripe shoots. It is useless to retain an\ 

 part of the latter shoots, as they only produce 

 but very inferior blooms. Thick shoots that are 

 getting" old, and waning in vitality, should be 

 cut out and replaced with young shoots, in- 

 duced to emerge from the base of the plant. By 

 so doing, this keeps the plant well supplied with 

 young, vigorous and healthy growth. When 

 shortening the shoots always cut just above a 

 bud pointing outwards, which will give the 



i-ventuallv rob the plant ot much valual)le nutri- 

 ment at that stage of growth, when the plant 

 most requires it. As soon as the prunmg opera- 

 tion is finished, all leaves and prunings should 

 be carefullv collected and taken straight away 

 to the rubb'ish heap to be burned without delay. 



The fdh wing are a few of the best varieties 

 in each section: — 



HyhrhJ Pcrpohi //.s.-Alfred K. Wilbara?, Frau 

 Karl Druschki, Horace Yernet, Mrs. 



John 



