72 



THE ROSE GARDEN. 



No. 18 shews the growth of the tree the first year after it has been pruned with 

 the view of forming a Weeper. We continue the operation. We here find it ad- 

 visable to shorten closer a a, the shoots left by the last year's pruning. In the next 

 place, we cut out the shoots shewn by the single lines, and shorten the others a few 

 inches only. From their drooping position the flow of the sap is equalized, and 

 the eyes will break regularly nearly their whole length. Single blooms will occa- 



No. 18. 



Weeping Rose, Stage 2. 



sionally be produced from them, and the following year these short bloom-bearing 

 branches may be spurred ; that is, pruned to about two eyes. Henceforth there 

 is but little difficulty in bringing the tree to perfection. The main shoots should 

 not be shortened till they reach the ground : prune the laterals only ; when flowers 

 are produced all along the branches from the head of the tree to the ground, 

 forming a beautiful half-globe one mass of flower. 



About the second or third year it is necessary to attach a hoop to the head of 

 Weeping Roses, as shewn in No. 19, to keep the branches free from injury by the 

 action of the wind, and to assist in arranging them properly. 



I have sometimes seen wire-work, in the form of an umbrella, placed under the 

 head of a tree intended to be trained as a Weeper. The shoots are drawn through 

 this and tied down, and thus a drooping form is given to the tree. Sometimes, 

 also, the shoots are tied into the stem with bast or tar-twine, or fastened down to 

 pegs driven into the ground. 



