THE ROSE GROWER'S CALENDAR. 213 



MAY. 



May is a month of hope ; every fine day brings us 

 nearer to our Teast of Roses. Buds are showing 

 everywhere, and insect pests abound to harass the poor 

 g^rovver. There is no help for it ; all trees must be gone 

 over every day or every other day at least if we are 

 not to lose a bud or some promising shoot. Hand- 

 picking is the only remedy this month. 



These arc early days, but the grower in many 

 cases will be able to decide as to the removal of certain 

 unnecessary buds in order to foster a likely exhibition 

 bloom. If the weather is dry it is wisest to water 

 trees, but this should be done in the mornings. Late 

 frosts will be a cause of great anxiety, but little can 

 be done to protect your trees other than to tie a piece 

 of newspaper or the like round some choice bud for 

 the night, which must be removed next morning. 

 Weak liquid manure and soot water can be given to 

 all trees freely this month. It is a wise measure to 

 spray all climbers growing over arches and pergolas 

 with insecticide; owing to the height at which they 

 are growing it is not possible to hand-pick these trees, 

 and they suffer in consequence. 



Harden off all Roses grown under glass that have 

 flowered, and then stand them in the oj)en. Continue 

 to tie up shoots of last year's budded roses to canes 

 and sticks. If mildew makes its appearance in the 

 green house dust the leaves of all trees affected with 

 sulphur, and then two or three days later with soft 

 soap and water. 



Cut back hard Mar^chal Niel trees that have 

 flowered and give free ventilation. Cuttings taken 

 under glass in March and April can now be trans- 

 ferred to single pots and grown on as before. Keep 

 a good supply of rain-water standing in the open^ for 

 this is indispensable from now onwards. 



