ROSES 



of the plant. The spring pruning of climbing roses is 

 confined to cutting off the soft ends of the long shoots 

 (the tips may have been damaged by severe cold), and to 

 cutting back all side growths from the main branches to 

 within two or three buds of their base. 



As soon as the March pruning is over the rose beds 

 will benefit by a free sprinkling of bone-meal, and this 

 should be forked beneath the soil surface. During the 

 summer the constant use of the hoe is most advisable. 

 Weeds are then kept down and the surface remains 

 " fine," much to the benefit of the roses. 



I know of nothing that gets rid of greenfly so well, 

 and keeps the rose bushes so clean, as a weekly spraying, 

 through a syringe having a " fine " nozzle, of Abol Insecti- 

 cide. This may be obtained in tins with full directions 

 for use from all chemists and horticultural sundriesmen, 

 and is invaluable to the home gardener. When mildew, a 

 greyish fungus that disfigures the leaves, makes its appear- 

 ance in late summer, as it is almost sure to do, it may 

 be destroyed by syringing the plants with a solution of 

 Lifebuoy or Cyllin soft soap, but the better way is to 

 syringe before the mildew makes its appearance. The 

 best way of getting rid of the several maggots and cater- 

 pillars that attack the rosebuds and the leaves is by hand 

 picking. The only other way is to use a poisonous wash 

 and to spray this on the plants, so poisoning the food 

 of the insects. Swift's Arsenate Paste is commonly 

 recommended. 



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