304 The American Flower Garden 



Except for the cutting back of the longest canes, lest the wind 

 whip them and thereby loosen the roots, it is best to defer the 

 pruning of roses until early spring, and then to begin on the hardiest 

 of them, the hybrid perpetuals. For flowers of superior quality, 

 cut out all weak growth, retaining only the most vigorous canes 

 which require shortening in proportion to the plant's development. 

 If the bush be big and strong, leave eight or ten inches of cane; 

 if it be young or delicate, half that height will be enough for the 

 roots to support. Cut cleanly, sharply through the cane a little 

 above a bud, so as not to injure it, and choose for the top one a bud 

 that is on the outside of the cane; for, if a bud that points inward 

 be left at the top, the lusty shoot which presently develops from it 

 shuts out air and light from the centre of the bush, the very part 

 that should be kept open. Encourage growth on the outside of 

 the plant; cut off cleanly the shoots that would grow inward. If , 

 quantities of flowers are wanted for their effect in the garden, 

 rather than fewer roses superlatively fine, prune less drastically. 

 But be it observed that the generous gardener, who cuts roses with 

 long stems and never hesitates to sacrifice a few buds to complete 

 the beauty of a spray, is the one who is rewarded with the finest 

 flowers. Plants invariably produce more flower buds than their 

 strength allows them to develop well. They would merely exhaust 

 themselves in an effort that the wise gardener does not permit. 

 Therefore, cut the roses, with their attendant buds, as long as they 

 last. Whenever in doubt, cut. " Gather ye rosebuds while ye may/' 

 but as early in the morning as possible, before the sun softens the 

 stems and petals. Roses that are laid in a bath of cold water for an 

 hour before they are arranged in vases become firm and refreshed, 

 which, of course, is as true of other flowers. From fifty bushes you 

 should be able to half fill a bathtub every morning during the season. 



