Hybrid Rugosas. 



Invaluable for cold-country planting. Note 

 the beautiful foliage 



CHAPTER IX 



PRUNING 



"/ bid my heart in a nesl oj roses." 



— Swinburne 



IF you have bought two- or three-year-old plants, cut them 

 back rather severely at the time of planting — to three or 

 four buds on the Hybrid Perpetuals and about six on the 

 Teas and Hybrid Teas. Always cut the stem just above a bud 

 that points out, never above one that points toward the center 

 of the plant. The term bud or eye is used to define the places 

 on the stem where leaves will be produced. They are easily 

 distinguished, as they look hke small, pointed warts on the 

 stems. If the plants are in leaf when planted, the above does 

 not apply. The crop of flowers on the rose plants is largely- 

 governed by the kind of pruning the plants receive. In fact, 

 other conditions being ideal, the pruning determines the quan- 

 tity and the size of the flowers. 



The Hybrid Perpetuals and most other hardy roses should be 

 pruned in March; if weather permits, by the middle of the 

 month. The tender roses, the Teas and Hybrid Teas, need not 

 be pruned until along in April, when the sap begins to flow and 

 the buds begin to swell; for, at this time, dead and weak wood 



(93) 



