THE ROSE GARDEN. 77 



plant possessed two sound healthy buds, formed closely together. Two buds 

 were, in this instance, preferred, because the aim was to get large plants in a little 

 space of time. So soon as these buds had shot forth about six inches, they were 

 stopped, and, in due course of time, two, three, or four laterals were produced 

 from each. These were drawn out to sticks stuck in the ground a good distance 

 apart, that the shoots might receive the full advantage of the sun and air. The 

 surface of the soil was once or twice loosened with a Vernon hoe. The Summer 

 Roses, as was expected, did not flower ; but the Autumnals showed their first 

 flower-buds about June. Eyes continued to push forth, both from the laterals 

 and the base of the first shoots, during the whole of summer. Now was the time 

 to form the plants. Wherever an eye was seen to break in a position where 

 thought superfluous or ill-placed, it was at once rubbed out, and the eyes bursting 

 late in summer were invariably served the same. By October I had the satis- 

 faction of seeing plants with from six to ten well-balanced shoots, vigorous, yet 

 well matured. The leaves were larger, and retained on the plants longer than on 

 others of the same kinds : the flowers were pronounced by competent judges to 

 be superior to any of the kinds they had previously seen. In October the plants 

 were taken up and potted. When pruning, I found very little work for the knife. 

 The shoots were so adjusted that I had, with few exceptions, only to shorten them : 

 thinning out, in which consists so much of the mutilation above complained of, 

 was unnecessary. In the following summer they made nice round plants, some 

 producing from six to twelve excellent flowers, and such were actually shewn at. 

 the Metropolitan exhibitions the first year. It is no exaggeration to say, that 

 they were superior to others a year older which had been treated in the ordinary 

 way. In disbudding especially, it is necessary to commence upon a plant when 

 quite young. It may be made to assume the same form as recommended in 

 general pruning, or any other the cultivator may desire. When first purchased, 

 it may be necessary to practice thinning ; but after this time the same end must 

 be accomplished by the better means. 



It is evident that the more vigorous in habit a plant is, other things being 

 equal, the greater space must be left clear from bud to bud, to allow the vigorous 

 shoots room to develope themselves. * 



This, we say, is evident, and the converse is no less so ; but, be it remarked, 

 with regard to the small growers, that they often produce buds so thickly on the 

 shoots, that it is necessary to remove more in a given length than from strong 

 growers. 



* In the Nurseries where Roses are cultivated, not by scores or hundreds, but by thousands, 

 it is impossible to apply disbudding, from the additional time it would require. In the general 

 system of pruning, we have to look through our plants once only during the year ; in dis- 

 budding, they will require looking through several times. This is the only objection I can see 

 to the general adoption of the practice. Surely, to the amateur, it is none. Remember, that 

 although scarcely any plant will flourish under so little care and attention as the Rose, yet, as- 

 suredly, none will repay more bountifully whatever may be bestowed on it. 



(Div. I.) o 3 



