FEBRUARY.] FLOWER-GARDEN OF PRUNING, &c. 47 



which must be regularly tacked in, spreading them in 

 a fan shape. These, in another year, will flower well, 

 when the others may go through the same operation. 

 Thus, in two or three years, the bushes will have re- 

 sumed a different, and more agreeable aspect. By 

 the above treatment, these ornaments of the garden 

 will always have a neat and healthful appearance, and 

 the roses will be much finer. Where they are intended 

 for the borders, they should never be allowed to get 

 too high. In a border from four to si* feet, they ought 

 never to exceed four feet at the back of the border, 

 and in front, one foot, after being pruned; they can be 

 kept down by the above method. It is not advisable 

 to cut down rose bushes all at once, unless no regard 

 is paid to flowering. The roses that are in grass plats 

 would have a superior appearance in every respect, if 

 they were kept and trimmed like small trees. They 

 may be of different sizes and heights, according to the 

 extent of the grass plat or clump. A single stem may 

 arise from six inches to six feet, with a head in propor- 

 tion to the height of the stem. Where it is necessary 

 to have them above two feet, and likewise to carry a 

 good head, inoculation must be resorted to, which, in 

 the months of June and July, will be fully treated of. 

 All under two feet (except the weak growing kpids) 

 will do on their own stems, taking care not to allow 

 shoots to arise from the bottom during the summer. 

 For directions for pruning climbing roses, see March 

 and April. 



