STANDARD ROSES 61 



a postscript, pointing out that in the accompanying note 

 it is stated that this is the finest half-standard the writer 

 has ever seen. But I could have excused the omission 

 by quoting the old saw that " All may do what has by 

 man been done." At least, it serves to show how excel- 

 lently the Tea rose may thrive in half -standard form. 



Half-standards are especially well suited to planting 

 among dwarf or bush roses, particularly of Teas. Most 

 of the latter are of low, spreading growth, and look all 

 the better for the presence of a few half-standards, which 

 give added height to the display and supply the missing 

 touch of boldness to the grouping. Many of the prize 

 blooms of Tea roses that are so much admired at exhibi- 

 tions are gathered from half-standards. During the 

 winter protection from cold should be afforded by bracken 

 thrust in among the branches. There is usually little 

 pruning to be done when March comes round, for the 

 growths often die back partly during the winter. If prize 

 blooms are wanted, each shoot must be cut to within 

 one or two buds of the base ; otherwise they may be 

 left two or three inches long. Thin, weakly growths that 

 evidently will not flower, should be cut out altogether. 

 In fact, thinning out the weak and dead growth often 

 constitutes all the pruning needed by half-standards 

 when they are grown to provide roses for garden display. 



