58 MARY'S GAKDEN AND HOW IT GKEW 



until she is used to the new place. I cut off the roots 

 a little also. Now, when the sun and the rain waken 

 her, she will feel like a new plant and much younger ; 

 she will send down the new little roots, and on top 

 the strong new shoots will come up, and in June there 

 will be roses for us 



"Better than if it were blooming now?" questioned 

 the under-gardener. 



"Better than if it were at work now," answered 

 Herr Trommel ; "besides, she will be a stronger plant. 



"When we prune roses we cut out all the wood 

 that looks a bit weak see?" he said, taking up an- 

 other rose root. "That little branch comes off; it is 

 too weak. I leave but these two; they are fine, 

 strong shoots ; but I cut them back so." 



"Let me do one," begged Mary. 



Herr Trommel demurred. "If it were anything 

 but a rose," he said. "Wait until you are bigger, 

 Liebchen. Did you see the fine bed I have made for 

 them?" he added, changing the subject hastily. 



"The square place on the other side of the path?" 



"Yes, yes, that is it. I have there three feet of 

 good soil, with a layer of broken stone underneath 

 for drainage, they do not like wet feet, and the 

 most beautiful manure for them ! I often think 



