PRUNING 



179 



ever, the beginner prunes hard whenfever he is in doubt, 

 he will probably have little cause for complaint. 



That the initial pruning of roses should be severe is 

 conceded by everyone who grows them. RosesLplanted 

 in November, or durmg_the winter^ andjpring, whether 

 climbjjBg OT 'BusETneed te-bfr cut hard-badtia the lollow- 



The proper way to cut a shoot when rose pruning, 



ing March ; each shoot of the bush roses ought to be 

 cut to within two or three buds oi the base, and the 

 stems of the climbing roses to within five or six inches 

 of the ground. It is true that if climbing roses are planted 

 in late October or early November, they may start into 

 vigorous growth without such hard pruning, but they 

 may not, and it is far safer to cut them back. Spring- 



