Teas, Hybrid Teas, and Noisettes Outdoors. 41 



no use, and would only weaken the plant. When April 

 arrives (not before) the bed may be planted, cutting back the 

 shoots to three or four eyes, and choosing a favourable day 

 for it favourable not only as to weather overhead, but as to 

 the state of the soil, for it is of very little use doing it when 

 the soil is wet and sticky. A little delay is much better than 

 working and standing on the ground when it is in this con- 

 dition. They may be planted about 2ft. apart each way, 

 and care should be taken that they are inserted low enough 

 for the place of junction to be covered ; so that, in fact, after 

 a time, they become double-rooted, and thus have a better 

 chance. During the first year the plants will make vigorous 

 growth if they have been properly treated, and in the follow- 

 ing autumn may be top-dressed like the Hybrid Perpetuals, 

 and we find that they do not really require more protection. 

 It is quite immaterial if the larger growth should be cut 

 down by the frost, for the plants will throw up strong 

 shoots from below the surface of the ground ; and it is 

 wonderful how vigorous these shoots are, and how full of 

 blossom. During the months of August, September, and 

 often in October there will be a wealth of blossom on the 

 plants of the Tea race, whilst amongst the Hybrid Perpetuals 

 the blossoms will be few and far between. 



Pruning. 



With regard to pruning there has been a wide difference 

 of opinion, some contending that Teas ought to be cut hard, 

 others that they should be only tipped. It is a very good 

 plan to alternate the practice i.e., one year cutting them 

 to within 4.in. or 5in. of *he ground, and the following 

 year only shortening the shoots. Should, however,. the winter 

 be hard, and the plants be severely hit by frost, it will 

 be necessary, as in the case of Hybrid Perpetuals, to cut 

 them down below where the pith has been affected and 

 discoloured. 



