APPENDIX. 289 



mulched, we need not fear for the hale and strong. Not twice in 

 a lifetime comes such a pitiless deadly winter as that of 1860-61 ; 

 and though to a few feeble invalids the white snow may be a 

 winding - sheet, for the rest it is His shield and covering, Who 

 giveth His snow like wool. Wherefore sweet memories and 

 happy hopes come to us musing at the fireside upon our Roses. 

 Nor need those hours be all hours of idleness. AVe may prepare 

 " tallies " for our trees and cards for our cut flowers. We may 

 repair and repaint our boxes, sharpen our stakes for the budded 

 Briers in spring, and sharpen our wits, too, by studying the chronicles 

 of past Rose-shows, the manuals, and the catalogues of our chief 

 Rosarians. In 



February 



the cry is " All in to begin," as it used to be the showman's 

 when we went to the fair, for no more Rose-trees can be planted 

 when this month has passed. 



March 



is the month for our final pruning. I say final, because all the 

 longer shoots will have been previously shortened in October. 

 Different varieties will, of course, require different treatment ; and 

 the intentions of the operator, as well as the habit of the tree, will 

 direct the manipulation of the knife. Some Roses of very vigorous 

 growth, such as Blairii 2 and Charles Lawson, Triomphe de Bayeux 

 and Persian Yellow, will not flower at all if they are closely pruned. 

 They will need little more excision than that which they have 

 already received — only the removal of any weak or injured wood. 

 Ten or twelve eyes may be left upon the healthy shoots. With 



T 



