SOILS, PLANTINGS, PRUNINGS 33 



are colder than English, when once they break 

 they do it heartily; and spring bursts with 

 a rush that is amazing, and without the late 

 frosts that are so cruel a trial to us islanders ; 

 and this may make a difference. Where 

 doctors, therefore, disagree so fundamentally, 

 the bewildered amateur will find that his only 

 safe plan is to go warily, studying the idio- 

 syncrasy of each individual Rose before he can 

 arrive at any satisfactory conclusions. For 

 individual plants, even of the same variety, 

 have their own little ways ; and it is only by 

 long and patient observation that we can 

 grapple with them. 



The first point to be considered before we 

 begin work is our intention with regard to 

 our Roses. Are we growing them for exhibi- 

 tion or merely for enjoyment ? And if for 

 enjoyment, do we want a few very fine blooms, 

 or a quantity of good ones which will look 

 well in the mass, and enable us to use them 

 with lavish hand for the house and for our 

 friends ? Of course Roses for exhibition need 



far more severe pruning and disbudding, in 



c 



