68 



THE BLOSSOM CIRCLE OF THE YEAR 



the weak canes should be cut out, and the strong ones cut back 

 closely if long stems and fine quality of blossoms are desired. 

 One amateur Rose grower, whose gardens are fanous for the 

 beauty and size of the long-stemmed flowers, makes it his invari- 

 able rule to cut back every Rose bush to within six inches of the 

 ground and to remove the weak shoots entirely. One who has 

 fewer plants might prefer quantity of blossoms rather than size, 

 and if so, the pruning should be less severe. The vigorous growers 



need less pruning than the 

 weaker, slower-growing va- 

 rieties. All plants should be 

 closely pruned when trans- 

 planting. All but two or three 

 of the strongest branches 

 should be taken off and these 

 cut back to within six or seven 

 inches of the ground. The 

 hole in which they are to be 

 put should be of ample size 

 and the newly planted bushes 

 need to be kept well watered 

 and the earth firmed well 

 about the roots. 



Roses vary as to soil re- 

 quirements; most Climbers 

 and Hybrid Perpetuals like 

 rich, heavy soil — good clay 

 loam; while the nearer one ap- 

 proaches the Teas and Bour- 

 bons the lighter and sandier 

 the soil may be. 



Climbing Roses must be 

 trimmed very slightly. Of 

 course, all weak and spindly 

 growth should be removed 

 annually and the side branches 



Caroline Testout Roses in my garden shortened in, but the main 



