72 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1891. 



with that most beautiful of all dark roses, " Louis Van Houtte," 

 and I never should plant the latter variety in the autumn, nor 

 the Hybrid Teas, such as La France, Capt. Christy, &c. Of 

 course in autumn planting, some protection is required from ex- 

 treme atmospheric changes. This can be done by drawing the 

 soil nicely about the plants from ten to twelve inches high, and 

 heaped above this a liberal coat of manure ; cold, green manure 

 will answer the purpose as well as rotten. 



In spring planting, there is no danger from loss by frost, and 

 if done early in the season as soon as the ground is in condition, 

 it is a safe practice. Plants which have been carried through the 

 winter in a sound condition are in a suitable state for planting 

 at this time. After planting care should be taken to prevent 

 the surface of the ground from becoming parched or baked, by 

 frequently stirring with the hoe, and by syringing the top of the 

 plant to prevent excessive evaporation from drying winds, which 

 causes the stems of the newly-planted rose to wither and die. 



Pruning. 



The ol)ject of pruning is to shape and strengthen the plant, 

 and to give size and beauty to the flower. I do not believe in 

 autumn pruning ; it is so apt to cause the low dormant buds to 

 push. This late growth seldom matures, and the tendency is to 

 weaken the plant at a time when its strength should be reserved 

 in its main stems in preparation, so far as possible, for the next 

 year's growth and bloom. The best time for pruning is in April, 

 after the soil has been levelled from about the plant and the 

 manure covered under as much as possible, if it was put on 

 in the fall. 



In a few days after the buds have swelled suflSciently to show 

 their condition, the work can begin by cutting out all dead 

 wood, and all wood that indicates weakness, cutting the plant 

 back to the plumpest bud, and all weak shoots should be taken 

 out, so that none shall cross each other. It is the top bud that 

 will grow first and in the direction in which it points, and we 

 should cut back to a bud that points outwards. If we w^ant to 

 get rid of a misplaced shoot, cut it out to the bottom. It should 



