346 THE BOOK OF THE ROSE CHAP. 
all plants moved at this time, whether stocks or 
Roses, should be kept in water as long as they are 
out of the ground. All budded stocks should now 
be staked, and the buds carefully examined, for the 
erub is sometimes at work before March is out. If 
it be desired to retard the blooming of Teas, a thick 
heavy mulch of long wet manure laid on now while 
the ground is still very cold will keep the roots cool 
and, toa certain extent have the required effect. Be 
most careful of the ventilation of Maréchal Niel 
under glass, and attack mildew and aphides when 
they first appear. With the increased light, Roses 
in pots will bear more heat, but remember that all 
of them, indoors or out, open their finest and best 
coloured flowers in a slightly decreased temperature. 
April.—In most seasons, in midland districts, the 
second week will be soon enough for the pruning of 
Teas. There will be no difficulty in finding Rose 
srubs now, if the signs indicating their presence in 
the shoots and young leaves are known. Maiden 
shoots and buds should be examined the oftenest, 
as in these cases the life of a whole plant is at stake. 
Suckers will begin to be troublesome on all plants, 
especially on maiden standards. Tie up the maiden 
shoots as soon as possible; if left too long, even 
though not blown out, they will grow away from 
the stake and be troublesome to secure. A regular 
system of hoeing should now commence on the 
Rose beds, on which no hard crust must be 
permitted to form: one of the simpler forms of 
push-hoes, of which I believe the “‘ Sproughton”’ to 
be the best, will generally be found most convenient. 
If liquid manure is available it may be applied but 
cautiously, and not among dwarf maidens. The 
