60 THE ROSE GARDEN. 



thing may depend on use. The scissors are, however, very convenient for 

 gathering flowers, and for cutting off the flower-stalks when they grow shabby, 

 or begin to decay. 



There are three principal ends sought in Rose pruning, each of which carries 

 with it a degree of weight, and should be kept distinctly in view ; and let it be 

 borne in mind, that on the judicious use of the pruning-knife their perfect 

 accomplishment more or less depends : they are — 



1. To maintain a plant or tree in full health and vigour. 



2. To induce it to assume a form at once agreeable to the eye, and advantageous 

 for the development of its blossoms. 



3. To secure an abundance of fine flowers. 



1. To maintain a tree in full health and vigour. 



We are told that the extraordinary vigour and beauty of some plants on 

 which goats had been browzing first gave the ancients the idea of pruning. 

 Certainly no one in the present day would dispute the advantages of it. Cultivators 

 can only be at variance as to the mode of action, and the season at which the 

 operation should be performed. If we leave a Rose-tree unpruned for one year, 

 a great number of buds will burst forth, producing a vast quantity of blossoms, 

 but both shoots and flowers will be comparatively thin and puny. If such tree be 

 left unpruned for two or three successive years, it will become greatly enfeebled ; 

 the ends of the yearling shoots Mill die back for want of nourishment, and thus 

 are reduced the number of buds capable of development during the subsequent 

 year. Here we see one end of pruning naturally accomplished. But it is not 

 sufficiently so. The flowers continue to degenerate, till at length they can be 

 scarcely recognised : the tree dwindles, presents an unhealthy appearance, and 

 pruning must be the first means applied for its restoration. 



2. To induce a pla?it or tree to assume a form at once agreeable to the eye, and 

 advantageous for the development of its flowers. 



The formation of a tree is a point deserving of the closest attention ; for if the 

 form is inelegant it cannot but displease, however healthy and vigorous it may 

 be, or what the degree of beauty the flowers it produces. Should the latter be 

 forming small, their size may be increased by lessening their number, or by a 

 timely application of manure- water ; but for the improvement of the form of a tree 

 there is no such ready remedy. The flowers, too, are but transitory : the shape of 

 the tree is lasting ; it remains to view after they are gone. To form a handsome 

 tree, it is necessary to take it in hand when young : it is then easy to fashion, as taste, 

 or a view to its permanent weal, may require. But if it has become straggling, 

 from unskilful management or other causes, it is often difficult to re-model, some- 

 times requiring the patience and skill of two, or even three seasons. Before we 

 commence the pruning of a Rose, whether it be a bush or a tree, it is therefore 

 well to determine the shape it shall assume, and then frame all our operations with 



