PLANTING AND PRUNING. 79 



the vigor of growth ; the strongest growers 

 should be put about three feet apart; for 

 those of weaker habit, one or two feet would 

 suffice. In planting beds, if of more than 

 one variety, the strongest sort should be in 

 the centre and those of the weakest habit on 

 the outside. It is almost unnecessary to say, 

 that no planting should be attempted if the 

 ground be very wet, or very dry, as during a 

 summer drought ; and that very late in the 

 season, whether autumn or spring, is not a 

 good time to set out roses; few things suffer 

 so much from late spring planting as do 

 roses ; if the buds have pushed forth, it is 

 generally time and money thrown away to 

 set out plants, other than those pot-groum. 

 The reason pot-grown plants can be used 

 after the others is that the soil in which they 

 are grown can be retained when the roses are 

 removed from the pots, and the plants con- 

 tinue to grow without check. Pot-grown 

 roses must not be immediately exposed to the 

 rays of a hot sun ; if planted out they should 

 receive some shade for a few days, and be 

 carefully watered. Water must not be ap- 

 plied during the heat of the day, but in the 

 morning or evening. 



The pruning of roses is one of the most 

 important features connected with their cul- 



