Gardening for Amateurs 



187 



numbers to increase the size and beauty of 

 those that are allowed to remain. The plant 

 is forced to confine its energy to a few pro- 

 ducts instead of many, so that while there 

 is a distinct loss 

 in numbers, the 

 individual results 

 show enhanced 

 qualities. Dis- 

 budding is carried 

 out during the 

 " growing " sea- 

 son, and if it is 

 properly done, in 

 many cases the 

 work of winter 

 pruning is materi- 

 ally reduced ; in 

 fact, disbudding 

 is essential to 

 successful cultiva- 

 tion in the case 

 of some plants 

 and shrubs. The 

 work should al- 

 ways be done as 

 soon as possible, 

 i.e. as soon as 

 the bud - growth 

 appears, for, be- 

 sides being much 

 more easily per- 

 formed when the 

 tissues are soft 

 or brittle, the re- 

 moval of super- 

 fluous growths 

 enables the bush 

 to conserve ite 

 valuable sap, and 

 does not allow 

 it to lose sup- 

 plies where the 

 products are not 

 desired. 



examine them and remove by pinching be- 

 tween the finger and thumb such as are weak, 

 poorly shaped, or unlikely to get a good 

 chance of development. In some varieties, 



IN THE FLOWER 



GARDEN 

 Roses. Win-n- 

 ever flower buds 

 begin to appear 

 on the bushes the 

 gardener should 



Stopping" the seedling 

 encourage side growths 



to Removing superfluous stems a when a 



plant with two stems only is desired. 



A single stemmed plant 

 as generally grown 

 by exhibitors. 



A three stemmed plant is best for the 

 average garden, side shoots being 

 pinched out. 



DISBUDDING SWEET PEAS. 



