GENERAL INFORMATION 



the wood to ripen for the winter pruning. In this 

 manner an abundant supply of fall bloom is produced, 

 almost equal to that of spring, while at the same time 

 the plants are insured against an early deterioration. 

 "Heavy pruning is performed in January, at which 

 time the wood of the previous season's growth is 

 well ripened. In early spring the beds are again 

 mulched and the plants sprayed with Bordeaux as 

 a preventive against mildew. After the rains have 

 ceased, the garden is given a thorough cultivation 

 and overhauling, after which little attention is re- 

 quired until the summer rest, except an occasional 

 irrigation, followed by a superficial working of the 

 soil. Under this treatment the first flowers of the 

 spring crop appear in February or early March, and 

 continue until about the first of July. 



"The superiority of budded roses is believed to be 

 generally recognized. Some types, especially Teas, 

 are too weak and delicate for ordinary outdoor culture 

 unless worked on a more vigorous root, and the 

 majority seem to be more or less improved when so 

 treated. Budded plants are here not only more vig- 

 orous and longer-lived, but are more adaptable to 

 wet and poor soil conditions, and will produce larger 

 and earlier flowers in greater quantity than own- 

 root plants. 



1 'While climbing roses are widely grown in California 



195 



