PLANTING AND PRUNING. 77 



way there is much less liability of suckers 

 from the stock being put forth, and oppor- 

 tunity is afforded for the plant to put forth 

 roots from the bud or graft ; this often takes 

 place, so that ultimately the plant is virtually 

 on its own roots. Roses that are pot-grown 

 can be planted at any time from April till Oc- 

 tober, but if set out during the heat of summer 

 special care must be given in watering, etc. 

 Respecting the sized plants which should be 

 set out, we earnestly advise all those who can 

 obtain them to put out plants of one or two 

 years' growth that have made a free but not 

 excessive growth, with well-ripened wood; 

 these can be obtained at most of the large 

 reliable nurseries. Many florists do a large 

 and exclusive business in sending by mail 

 small plants, cuttings of a few weeks' growth ; 

 this is all very well, to give opportunity to 

 many people to obtain plants, which could 

 not, owing to the lack of express or railroad 

 facilities, be forwarded in any other way; 

 but these bantlings often require much care 

 and tender nursing, and are seldom of any 

 account until the second year from planting, 

 for in order to promote their growth the 

 flower buds should be kept cut off during the 

 first year if allowed to produce any, they 

 are not only not of first quality, but enfeeble 



