APPENDIX. 291 



May, 



and the pest will be found hidden in the curled leaf, from which 

 he would presently attack the Rose, as a burglar conceals himself 

 in the shrubbery before he breaks into the drawing-room. Of all 

 the months this to the Rosarian brings most anxiety. Nothing 

 so adverse to his Roses as late vernal frosts, cold starving nights 

 in May. The sap is checked, the circulation of Rose-blood is 

 impeded, and weakness and disease follow inevitably. The trees, 

 which were growing luxuriantly, suddenly cease to make further 

 progress. They look well to the eye ; the inexperienced appre- 

 hends no injury ; but the disease is there, and the symptoms will 

 soon show themselves. Wisely did our forefathers fix their Roga- 

 tion Days at this most perilous time. Wisely did priest and peo- 

 ple go together round the boundary fields, with earnest prayer 

 that they might in due time enjoy the kindly fruits of the earth. 

 Even the heathen kept his days of Rogation, and besought his 

 gods " ut onmia befie effloresce^-ent ; " and shall the Christian call it 

 superstition to invoke the blessings of Heaven upon corn-field and 

 pasture, orchard and garden, fruit and flower ? 



Cut in the budded laterals on the Briers close to the bud, and 

 take away all suckers and fresh growth upon the Brier itself. 

 Have your stakes firmly driven into the ground by the side of 

 each stock, and rising about 2 feet above it. Watch the growth 

 of the bud, securing the young tender shoot, with bast to the stake, 

 so that it may be safe against sudden gusts, and look out at the 

 same time for the grub. 



Examine the new growth of your established Rose-trees, and 

 w^hen you think that it is too abundant, rub off here and there 

 those breaking buds, which might weaken the plant, and prevent a 



