PRUNING CURRANTS, GOOSEBERRIES, ETC. 201 



them to three or four inches. When they begin to shoot at 

 their eyes, rub off all but two each, and choose two that will 

 grow in the best direction to form a good bush : do not let 

 them cross each other, nor grow inwards. The growth they 

 wiR make the first year will astonish any one strange to the 

 subject ; but the second year, these branches must all be cut 

 down to two eyes each : and as some of the branches from 

 these would be in the way, it may be found necessary to rub 

 off one of these ; for the same rule must be observed as to 

 crossing each other, or growing inwards. The only exception 

 to this close pruning must be where you wish the bushes to 

 fill up any particular space ; but as they are left their full 

 height all the winter, and after spring-pruning soon make 

 rapid progress to get to their full growth and bloom, it is 

 generally advisable to keep them down as much as possible 

 in the pruning, more especially as it greatly strengthens the 

 shoots, and increases the size of the blooms. 



Climbing-roses require peculiar management. They will 

 frequently appear to stand almost still for a time, and all at 

 once a shoot will make its way to the full length of the space 

 the plant is to occupy. The old plant may be cut down to 

 pretty near the ground, as soon as a healthy shoot from the 

 bottom appears, because the long shoot takes the principal 

 strength, and ought to have it all, for the bush could not 

 move. Let other shoots go up as they will ; but as soon as 

 any one gets the full length it is wanted to go, take off the 

 top, and induce side-shoots. From year to year these pillar, 

 or climbing-roses, require the same clearing of dead wood, the 

 same removal of weakly branches ; and every spring, when 

 the buds move, they should be thinned by rubbing off aU 

 that are in the way, or useless. All side-shoots should be 

 cut to the length they are required to hang or stand out ; 

 and much may be done according to the habit. If it may 

 take up considerable room, lessen the number of shoots, 

 instead of shortening them ; because the object in chmbing- 

 roses is not so much size of bloom, as quantity and succession 

 of flowers. But we may always conclude, that if we buy 

 climbing-roses in pots, and plant them, hardy young shoots 

 will soon beat the old ones, and then the old ones may be all 

 cut back. 



Currants, Gooseberries, &c. — The pruning and training 

 of currant and gooseberry-bushes is a very simple affair, if set 



