60 PEUNING. 



under ordinary circumstances every grower would have 

 cut back to four or five eyes each year. It taught me 

 a lesson, and has made me more sparing with the 

 knife and secateurs ever since. 



When cutting back a tree I always look at the 

 name, for so much depends upon the variety as to 

 light or heavy pruning, some throwing their best bloom 

 from the top eyes, others from the middle, and many 

 more from the bottom. 



The correct time of year for the pruning of Rose 

 trees has always been a debatable point with expert 

 growers, and Autumn versus Spring, with a Summer's 

 thinning out of wood, is a nice point for considera- 

 tion. 



In November the flow of sap has practically 

 ceased, and the roots are at rest; thus a wound made 

 by cutting does no harm ; it neither bleeds nor causes a 

 root check owing to the restricted flow of sap. In the 

 case of newly planted trees the problem becomes more 

 acute, for it is a well-known fact that in November 

 root action is nearly still ; but in March new roots are 

 being formed, and growth has started. Indeed, trees 

 planted as late as the end of March should always be 

 pruned at planting. Why? Not to save time, but 

 because root growth has started, and the newly planted 

 tree, not being settled, is likely to have Its roots tried 

 too high before they are strong enough to bear the 

 strain of a tree being blown about by a rough wind or 

 of a check in the flow of sap at such a tender age. If, 

 then, our policy in respect of late-planted trees is 

 correct, why not pursue the same at the correct plant- 

 ing season, November, and further extend it to all 

 trees moved or unmoved at this season of the year? 

 To me the answer is apparent, and the problem is 

 solved. What you can safely do one year in our un- 

 certain climate, you cannot be sure of being able to^ 

 do the following. One year we can gather Roses 

 growing in the open until Christmas, and the next 

 opens up with severe frosts and snow, and all our trees 



