THE ROSE AS A CLIMBER 91 



does not call for lengthened remarks additional to those 

 employed in Chapter II. The general directions there 

 given apply to the Rose as well as to other climbers, yet 

 it may be desirable to emphasise a few points. 



The soil ought to be well prepared and thoroughly 

 manured, it being remembered that the Rose is a plant 

 which prefers a rather heavy and rich soil. This pre- 

 pared soil ought to extend a considerable distance from 

 the roots as at first planted, for the Rose is a great 

 feeder, and climbing Roses which have to extend their 

 stems and branches over a large space, ought to be even 

 better provided for than the dwarf forms. One has too 

 often seen stunted, unhealthy, climbing Roses which had 

 had their roots jammed into small holes made by the side 

 of a gravel path, yet were expected to cover a high wall 

 with healthy foliage and pretty flowers. It is almost 

 superfluous to say that disappointment resulted. 



While cleanliness and the destruction of insect pests 

 are important for all climbers, few suffer more or lose 

 their beauty so much from their attacks as the Rose, 

 aphides being among its worst enemies, especially on 

 walls. The barer the walls the more liable are the 

 Roses to such attacks, and every effort should be made 

 to secure vigorous growth ; also they should be freely 

 syringed, and approved insecticides applied at once. 

 Mildew and other fungoid diseases are also trouble- 

 some, some varieties being more subject to them than 

 others, but a cold, draughty position encourages their 

 appearance. Moths, saw-flies and gall-flies with their 

 larvae are also troublesome. 



The pruning of climbing Roses differs considerably 

 from that of the dwarf varieties cultivated for their large 

 blooms, and the aim ought to be to secure as much 

 flower as possible, together with a free and luxuriant 

 growth. In most climbing Roses old and weak shoots 

 and growths ought to be cut out, leaving those which 



