VI PRUNING 105 



examination of each plant in early May, when 

 a thinning of the pushing buds may be practised 

 where it is necessary. Of those growing too close 

 together or in a wrong direction or filling up the 

 centre, one or two may be rubbed off. But we must 

 not be rash ; if undecided, it may be prudent 

 to adjourn the examination for a week or so, when 

 we can still take the shoot off, but cannot put it 

 back. It is best, when an actual shoot of an inch 

 or more has to be removed, not to rub it out, as 

 this leaves a deep ugly scar, but to shave it closely 

 off with a knife. 



Eor bedding purposes the pegging-down system is 

 fairly successful with really strong-growing varieties 

 of not too stiff habit. But it must be understood 

 that it will not be satisfactory, unless the soil and 

 culture be of the best, and the most free varieties 

 in growth and bloom be selected. All must be cut 

 away save two or three (not too many) of the 

 strongest shoots, which are bent down and pegged 

 over the bed. They will break and bloom all over, 

 and in late summer other shoots will probably 

 spring from the base, a selection of which will 

 take the places of the old ones in the following 

 spring. 



Extra tall standards trained to form weeping Eoses 

 are beautiful objects when in bloom. It is im- 

 possible, however, to make any varieties, which are 

 not naturally of flexible or pendulous growth, take 

 this form successfully by bending them down. The 

 Hybrids of Wichuariana and the summer climbing 

 Eoses, such as the Ayrshire and Evergreen classes, 

 should therefore be used for this purpose. The heads 

 should be vigorously pruned back the first year, or 



