178 DESCRIPTION OP THE ROSE. 



roses. I have said that this treatment is applicable to 

 dry, poor soils : but, even in good rose soils, it is almost 

 necessary ; for it will give such increased vigor, and such 

 a prolongation of the flowering season, as amply to repay 

 the labor bestowed. If the soil be prepared as directed, 

 they will twice in the year require pruning : in November 

 [in March) for this country], when the beds are dressed ; 

 and again in the beginning of June. In the Novem- 

 ber pruning, cut off from every shoot of the preceding 

 summer's growth about two-thirds its length: if they 

 are crowded, remove some of them entirely. If this 

 autumnal pruning is attended to, there will be, early 

 in June the following summer, a vast number of luxu- 

 riant shoots, each crowned with a cluster of buds. Now, 

 as June roses are always abundant, a little sacrifice 

 must be made to insure a fine autumnal bloom : therefore 

 leave only half the number of shoots to bring forth their 

 summer flowers ; the remainder shorten to about half their 

 length. Each shortened branch will soon put forth buds ; 

 and in August and September the plants will again be 

 covered with flowers. In cultivating Perpetual roses of 

 all classes, the faded flowers ought immediately to be re- 

 moved ; for in Autumn the petals do not fall off readily, 

 but lose their color, and remain on the plant, to the injury 

 of the forthcoming buds. Though I have recommended 

 them to be grown on their own roots, in dry soils, yet, on 

 account of the autumnal rains dashing the dirt upon their 



