140 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



what will happen to a rose-tree that is left unpruned. It is the 

 habit of the rose to throw out new shoots from the base of the 

 plant every season. These, being stronger and more vigorous 

 than those produced in previous years, naturally absorb nearly 

 all the sap upon which the tree depends for its existence, with the 

 inevitable result that, as time goes on, the older shoots become 

 weakened owing to the restriction of the flow of sap, and in 

 consequence cease to put forth any blooms. It is because of this 

 natural habit of the rose that the annual pruning of the tree is 

 necessary. The object to be aimed at is to keep the flow of sap 

 coursing steadily through the new channels which are formed 

 every year, and this can only be accomplished if the worn-out 

 shoots are kept under control by means of the pruning knife. 



Such is the main purpose of pruning ; its subsidiary object is . 

 to keep the plant to the shape wished for by its grower. Further, 

 if it be desired to produce exhibition blooms, wliich shall be large 

 and shapely, it will be necessary to cut the plant back severely 

 almost to the level of the ground ; if the decoration of the garden 

 be the purpose in view, the shoots will be left longer ; if the 

 production of large bushes be desired, the shoots will be still less 

 reduced in length ; while in the case of climbers which are intended 

 to clothe pillars, arches, fences, and pergolas, some of the shoots 

 will require little more than the removal of their dead extremities 

 during spring, provided the older and worn-out shoots have been 

 removed bodily in the early autumn. 



It will thus be realised that the requirements of each individual 

 rose need to be carefully studied by the grower who in pruning 

 them desires to achieve the best results. For the purposes of the 

 amateur with a small collection his trees may be classified as 

 follows : 



1. Hybrid Perpetuals I 3. Teas 



2. Hybrid Teas 4. Climbers 







I will deal with each section in turn : 



HYBRID IV.TipETUALS. This class is most suit able for outdoor 

 culture, especially in bush form. The end of Mureh is the most 



