ROSES THAT BLOOM THE WHOLE SEASON. 133 



from the atmosphere, to support their free growth 

 during the months of July and August. Every 

 leaf, young shoot, or branch that a tree or plant is 

 deprived of, during the period of their growth, is 

 merely withdrawing from them a portion of their 

 daily food. I have rarely seen summer pruning 

 attended with beneficial results, but the contrary. 

 The proper method is to disbud, or merely take the 

 tip from the extremity of a shoot. "The size of a 

 plant is proportional to the surface of the organs 

 which are destined to convey food to it. A plant 

 gains another mouth and stomach with every new 

 fibre of root and every new leaf." When the 

 Bengal, or any of the Tea roses, that have been 

 planted in the open ground during the sum- 

 mer, are wanted to decorate the green-house, or 

 parlour, during the fall or winter months, the best 

 plan is, towards the middle of September, to cut 

 the roots round each plant, leaving the ball of 

 ground less than the pot you intend using. Cut- 

 ting the roots will cause the plant to droop, but in 

 about a fortnight they will make fresh rootlets, and 

 will be ready for potting, which must be done with 

 care, not to crumble the ball of earth or disturb the 

 fresh roots. By this means the plants will look 

 more handsome than if they had been grown in 

 pots. 

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