136 THE BOOK OF THE ROSE CHAP. 
and we shall have to deal with their progeny on the 
Roses. We can hardly exterminate these pests, but 
we ought not to allow them to breed on our pre- 
mises, on the ground that they are not doing much 
harm just where they are. 
The next point of importance is the treatment of 
the standard stocks. In almost all the books on the 
subject that I have read it is advised that, sooner or 
later before budding, all shoots from the standard 
stems be removed except the two or three near the 
top which are reserved to be operated upon. I 
would say: Do nothing of the sort—do not remove 
unnecessarily a single leaf, save of suckers from 
beneath the surface of the soil, and let these be 
gently but firmly pulled out as will hereafter be 
described. Remove no lateral branch or part of 
one during the whole season of growth: and as this 
seems opposed to general recommendation, I will 
endeavour to give the reason for the advice. 
A plant in its natural state has always a complete 
balance of strength between the parts above ground 
and underground—the branches and the roots. If, 
in summer, or during the period of growth, the roots 
be injured, cut off, or lessened, the foliage, which is 
the most prominent outward sign of vigour, will 
suffer in proportion, but if not killed, will restore 
the balance of root power as soon as possible. If, 
on the other hand, shoots or leaves are cut off or 
injured during the summer, the roots will cease to 
increase till they have restored the balance of power 
to the foliage. Thus, in summer, cutting back the 
root hinders the growth of the plant, and taking 
away shoots with leaves on them checks the growth 
of the roots. 
