142 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



suitable time for pruning. First cut out any dead or weakly 

 wood from the centre of the plant down to the base, so as to allow 

 plenty of air-space for the remaining shoots. These should next 

 be dealt with. If the tree was newly planted in the autumn do 

 not hesitate to prune it hard that is, cut it down to within six 

 or nine inches of the base. In carrying out this operation a study 

 must be made of the condition of the buds. Towards the higher 

 end of the stem buds will be found in active growth ; at the 

 lower end nearer the ground buds will be dormant. A good rule 

 is to cut just above the third or fourth dormant bud. After 

 selecting the bud, cut off the stem so as to sever it at an angle 

 of 45. An invariable rule to be followed is to choose a bud 

 that is pointing outwards, and to hold the knife so that the cut 

 may also be made in an outward and upward direction. Cut 

 about a quarter of an inch above the bud, and be careful not to 

 damage it. 



With older trees the treatment should be the same, save that 

 in this case the plant should be cut back to within three or four 

 dormant eyes of the previous year's pruning! Each year, however, 

 one shoot should be cut back to the base to promote young 

 growth. This will prevent the plant from becoming too straggling. 



HYBRID TEAS. For garden decoration prune sparingly at 

 the same time that the Hybrid Perpetuals are cut back. Cut 

 out dead and weak wood, and sjiorten the longest shoots a little. 

 If, however, you are growing for exhibition, or large specimen 

 blooms are desired, cut back hard much in the way you have 

 treated your Hybrid Perpetuals. 



TEAS. The pruning of Teas should be delayed until the first 

 or second week in April at any rate until it is possible to be 

 certain which part has been killed by frost and which buds bear 

 most promise. It is essential to cut back hard to good sound 

 wood. In some instances, if the winter has been severe, it will be 

 necessary to go beneath the surface of the ground itself to reach 

 a bud that promises growth. Do not be alarmed at the prospect. 

 If the roots be sound the tree will speedily reassert itself. Some 

 rosarians are so enamoured of the knife that they will tell you that 



