35 
four years and their vigorous growth has become 
somewhat exhausted. Whatever pruning is neces- 
sary should be performed after the plant has 
bloomed, which is generally towards the end of 
May or beginning of June. Shorten the long, 
vigorous shoots one-third or less, and secure all the 
small, short-jointed, and thoroughly matured wood. 
From these, blooms will be produced the following 
season. 
Dissuppinc.—Next to pruning, disbudding must 
be considered the most important operation to be 
performed. After the shoot-buds are fairly started, 
look through the plant and rub off or cut out any 
which are likely to take a wrong direction ; likewise 
thin out wherever they are too much crowded. It 
will be found in some instances that at least one- 
third of the shoots may be dispensed with, which, if 
allowed to grow, would crowd the plant with small, 
useless wood. By lessening these, such as remain 
will consequently be much strengthened, producing 
fine blooms, and the plant will assume a well- 
regulated form, requiring much less attention at 
pruning time. 
Young plants require in all instances to be cut 
down the first year to within a few inches of the 
insertion of the bud, leaving from four to six eyes, 
according to circumstances. This must be done to 
all alike the first year of planting. I mention this 
more particularly because I have repeatedly seen 
one-year old Roses planted and allowed to grow 
without receiving any shortening or pruning what- 
ever. The proper time to cut them back is early 
