Suckers. 159 



little use ; if they arise from the Autumnals, a large truss of flowers is often produced, 

 but their quality is quite mediocre. In both cases these gourmands, by drawing to 

 themselves too large a share of the nutritive juices of the plant, starve the more 

 moderate and valuable shoots. But what shall be done with 'them ? They are fine 

 shoots, and it seems a pity to destroy them. But if the plant is already well furnished, 

 it is certainly best to destroy them by cutting them off close to their base, so soon as 

 discovered. If, however, there are but few shoots, or a tree is ill-shapen, they may 

 be turned to advantage. Under the latter state of things pinch out their tops when 

 they have reached an advantageous height, which the looker-on must determine, and 

 thus they may be brought to fill up a scanty tree or balance a mis-shapen one. But 

 supposing, when such shoots arise, a Summer Rose has an abundance of vigorous 

 shoots, or an Autumnal Rose is scant of bloom, though at the same time in such a 

 state of health and vigour as to warrant us in concluding there is sufficient command 

 of food to support and develop existing branches and anticipated flowers, this may 

 render it advisable to allow such shoots their natural course of growth. But re- 

 member, the most vigorous shoots in Summer Roses are least likely to flower ; in 

 Autumnals they do not produce the best flowers. 



We would treat these gross shoots in the same way when they arise on Dwarf 

 or Pillar Roses, or indeed anywhere. 



As a general rule, so soon as the flower-buds are formed, if we are seeking large 

 flowers in preference to numbers, it will be well to nip out first those that seem 

 imperfect, and afterwards such as are smallest and most backward. It has even 

 been recommended to cut off the early flowers of the Autumnals, on the ground that 

 there is an abundance of other Roses in June, and the practice causes a finer and more 

 certain production in Autumn. Yet we see no reason for destroying the first flowers 

 of the former. Let them bloom : and when the flowers drop, remove the soil an 

 inch or two deep for a good space around each plant, placing a spadeful of manure 

 there. Cover this over again with the soil, and water the plants twice or thrice, if 

 the weather continue dry. This treatment will induce a fresh and vigorous growth, 

 ensuring, as a consequence, fine flowers. The secret of securing a good bloom of Roses 

 in Autumn exists in keeping the Autumnals growing during Summer and Autumn. 

 Do this, and there is no fear of failure. 



The Autumnals perhaps give a better succession of flowers when grown on their 

 own roots than when budded : the growth of the former is less periodic ; shoots 

 spring into life at shorter intervals. 



It is good practice to manure the plants twice yearly on poor soils in winter and 

 again when the first flowering is over, and water should be given freely in the growing 

 and blooming season. 



These are some of the operations necessary to be attended to previous to the 

 flowering season in order to secure the well-being of our favourites. Some of them 



