ROSES 129 



planting, and prune back hard all the growths. Tea Roses and allied 

 tribes may now be pruned. Remove earth from budded stocks, and 

 place a stick against each, in order to tie the bud securely as it 

 grows. Budded standard briars should have a thin slick tied on the 

 upper part of stem for a similar purpose. Keep the hoe frequently 

 used now among all Roses. Scatter soot on land and hoe it in. This 

 is beneficial to Roses, and wards off insects and fungoid troubles. 

 Water newly planted Roses. Climbers under glass as they go over 

 may be pruned. Marechal Niel if cut back to about three or four feet 

 from the base will be induced to make new shoots which will give the 

 best flowers next year. 



This is an excellent time to plant out own-root or cutting Roses 

 from pots. 



MAY. Insects will now prove troublesome. Go carefully over the 

 plants and give a pinch where the enemy appears to be hiding. Dis- 

 bud growths on the plants. Rub off the supernumerary shoots in the 

 centre of the plants. Two or three of the best on each growth will 

 suffice. Liquid manure may be given now about once a week if 

 weather be dry, but first apply plain water. If the season be wet, 

 a sprinkling of artificial manure will be more beneficial. Sometimes 

 bad frosts occur this month. Wall Roses pay for a mat hung over 

 them each night till danger is past, which is in about the last week. 

 Wall Roses also need a good soaking of water now and then. Like wall- 

 fruits they often are neglected in this respect, and really need it most. 

 Hoeing is an important operation. A sprinkling of bone-meal is 

 helpful ; keep it well hoed in. Suckers must be cut away as they 

 appear. Standard briars for budding must have their shoots thinned. 

 Retain three or four at the top or lower down if stronger. 



This is a good time to put in cuttings in a greenhouse. Select 

 shoots that have flowered. Cut them in lengths of four inches to six 

 inches or more, remove lower leaves and dibble into very sandy soil, or 

 all sand may be used. Place a large cloche or bell-glass over them, and 

 keep the cuttings lightly sprinkled each morning. Shade from midday 

 sun. Wipe the glass every morning. In about five weeks the cuttings 

 may be potted off into four-inch or five-inch pots. Keep them in a 

 close frame for a few days after potting. 



Tea Roses in pots after flowering should be rested for a time by 

 partially withholding water. Shorten the growths a little to good plump 

 eyes. When buds are again active give the plants water and syringe 

 now twice a day. Air must be more plentifully afforded, and a little 

 let in at night. Hybrid perpetual Roses after flowering should be 

 plunged outdoors. Stand them on ashes or two bricks and surround 

 the pots with ashes or soil. 



Green-fly or aphis will now be troublesome. As a rule, it is gene- 

 rally upon Roses not growing freely or in an unhealthy state. A good 

 remedy is to dip the shoots covered with the aphis in tobacco water. 

 Put one pound of tobacco paper into one gallon of boiling water ; when 

 steeped well, add one gallon of soft water. Keep a stock of this, and 

 go round the plants and drench the shoots with it. 



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