THE ROSE GARDEN. 69 



must be our first aim ; for it is easy at any time to extend the growth, and thus in- 

 crease its height. We ascend the pillar, thinning as we proceed, till we reach 

 the top. Here we select one or two of the strongest and best-placed shoots g h 

 to continue the ascent, and tie them up. From their position an abundant flow of 

 the sap furnishes them with means of free growth, and favours the rise of the 

 plant. The small lateral or side shoots are now cut back to three or four eyes. If 

 in any spot, as at ?', the pillar is thin, we cut a shoot back to one or two eyes, 

 and thus get a strong shoot or two, by which we fill the vacuity the next season. 

 We do not reckon much on flowers the second year, if desirous of perfecting the 

 pillars quickly ; but the third Spring after planting we find them of considerable 

 height, and in every condition to produce an abundant bloom. Another year, and 

 they blaze forth in all their magnificence. 



We continue to follow this method of procedure from time to time, tying up 

 the leading shoots till the pillar is covered the desired height, which perhaps 

 should not exceed twelve feet. The lateral shoots of short growth with well- 

 ripened wood are those which produce flowers with the greatest certainty : 

 they may be shortened in, to four or six eyes. 



Pillar Roses send up almost invariably strong shoots from the base of the plant 

 during Summer and Autumn. These, if not wanted, may be cut out as soon as 

 discovered ; but it is usually policy to leave one or two, as they may often be 

 made use of to keep the pillar in a vigorous state when perfected, or to renovate it 

 when decaying : by keeping up a constant supply of young shoots the old hide- 

 bound stems may be removed as they exhibit symptoms of debility, without 

 marring the beauty or deteriorating from the effect of the pillar. The branches of 

 Pillar Roses in general do not maintain their vigour for many years, which is 

 probably owing to the little pruning they undergo ; and these strong shoots, 

 arising from their base, offer alone the means of their perfect restoration. 



It is more difficult to prune a Pillar Rose than any other form : it requires 

 closer attention, and thoroughly tests the judgment of the operator. When pro- 

 perly managed, and of full size, it should be well and regularly clothed with 

 branches, and in the flowering season with flowers, from the summit to the base. 

 When the tree is once formed, masses of flower being the object sought, and not 

 individual size, it is necessary to guard the unpractised hand against over-pruning : 

 it is on this side that he is most likely to err. 



Every year, immediately after pruning, it is well to look to the poles to see 

 that they are in sound condition ; and at the same time tie the Roses afresh with 

 small willows, tar- twine, or twisted bast. 



The annexed (No. 16) represents a Pillar Rose of full size just pruned. Its 

 main branches have not been twined round the pole as in the previous illustra- 

 tions, but that practice is a good one, for it favours a moderate and regular growth. 



We would just say a few words here in reference to Climbing Roses, which are 

 considered by many as identical with Pillar Roses. I wish we could make a 



