132 G7i the CuUivation and Management 



lateral shoots: only one main stem, in any^ case, should be al- 

 lowed to grow; when the laterals appear, nip them out with the 

 thumb and finger, in preference to using the knife, up to the de- 

 sired distance from the soil. Three or four should then be suf- 

 fered to proceed and be carefully tied to the stake; when these 

 in their turn throw out their laterals, they should also be divested 

 of them to a degree, and the centre of the plant kept open to 

 the sun and air; not so much open, we do not mean, as to lake out 

 the whole centre of the bush, but to cut away all cross branches 

 and weak shoots. Dodds's ISlary is an example of excessive 

 growth and profusion of both branches and buds; and without 

 considerable trimming the blooms are very inferior. Criterion 

 is another, and we might name many, but these, we presume, 

 will be sufficient to illustrate our remarks. On the other hand, 

 some require but little pruning; Princess Victoria, (Widnall's,) 

 Rising Sun, King of Dahlias, '&c. should be cut very cautiously. 

 It is impossible to lay down any rules for pruning, otherwise 

 than to note, that those which are disposed to branch very freely 

 require the most; and those which make erect growths with [ew 

 laterals the least. Once a fortnight, certainly, the plants should 

 be looked carefully over, pruned, divested of superfluous buds, 

 (particularly imperfect ones,) and tied up safely to the stakes. 

 One sudden and violent wind, when unprepared, might destroy 

 all the labors and cherished expectations of a whole season. 



Suckers often spring from the root, and if allowed to grow 

 take away considerable nourishment, which would otherwise pass 

 into the main stem. When such suckers begin to grow they 

 should be imnjediately taken off. If it is desirable to increase the 

 variety, a small portion of the root should be slit off with the 

 sucker; plant in a pot, and with proper attention it will form 

 handsome tubers by October. If plants are not wished for, cut 

 them off close up to the place from whence they issue. Some 

 kinds appear to throw up suckers from a constitutional habit. 

 Jupiter (Widnall's,) and Dodds's Mary are two of this character. 



In dry soils moss may be used very advantageously. The 

 past season we spread about two inches on the surface of the 

 soil around the plants; this kept the earth constantly moist, thus 

 not subjecting the roots, which always, when the plants are vigor- 

 ous, approach the surface, to the alternations of drought and wet. 

 It also prevents the soil from becoming baked, as it frequently 

 will when the plants are abundantly watered. In the moss the 

 roots run freely, and when the water is administered the points, 

 or spongioles, as they are termed, take it up more readily than 

 they would if turned upon a dry surface, where it immediately 

 passes away, or is quickly evaporated. We have only tried the 

 experiment one season: we shall endeavor to continue it the 

 coming summer, and we would commend it to the notice of cul- 



