92 THE BOOK OF THE ROSE chap. 



other weaker shoots removed that might hinder its 

 development. 



If a plant is carefully pruned from the beginning it 

 seldom presents many difficulties as long as it continues 

 in health : but those which have been neglected for 

 only one year sometimes require to be cut back suffi- 

 ciently to form an entirely new framework during the 

 following season. A good deal may be done to remedy 

 faults and defects by a careful examination of each 

 plant in early May, when a thinning of the pushing 

 buds may be practised where it is necessary. Of those 

 growing too close together or in a wn^ong direction 

 or filling up the centre, one or two may be rubbed off. 

 But we must not be rash : if undecided, it may be 

 prudent to adjourn the examination for a week or so, 

 when we can still take the shoot off, but cannot put it 

 back. It is best, when an actual shoot of an inch or 

 more has to be removed, not to rub it out, as this leaves 

 a deej) ugly scar, but to shave it_ closely off with a 

 knife. 



For bedding purposes the pegging-down system is 

 fairly successful with really strong-growing varieties of 

 not too stiff habit. But it must be understood that it 

 will not be satisfactory, unless the soil and culture be 

 of the best, and the most free varieties in growth and 

 bloom be selected. All must be cut away save two or 

 three (not too many) of the strongest shoots, which are 

 bent down and pegged over the bed. They will break 

 and bloom all over, and in late summer other shoots 

 will probably spring from the base, a selection of which 

 will take the j)laces of the old ones in the following 

 spring. 



Extra tall standards trained to form weeping Roses 

 are beautiful objects when in bloom. It is impossible, 



