34 Roses for Amateurs. 



grown well, they have thrown up three or four long, stout 

 shoots, and on these the grower will rely. All the short, old 

 wood of last year, and anything that appears sappy, should 

 be cut out. These long shoots should now be cut with 

 a sharp pruning-knife, never with a secateur. If the latter 

 be used we find that the wood is often so bruised in the 



Rose-tree before Pruning. 



process that it dies completely away. The shoot should be 

 cut just above an eye that points outward, so that when it 

 does start it may not interfere with other shoots, and the bush 

 will thus be more shapely. As experience is gained, the 

 grower will be able to distinguish between varieties that 

 require hard pruning that is, leaving only about 3in. or /(.in. 

 of the shoots and those of which pin. or loin, may be left. 

 As a rule, strong-growing Hybrid Perpetual varieties must 



