136 THE BOOK OF THE ROSE chap. 



and we shall have to deal with their progeny on the 

 Roses. We can hardly exterminate these pests, but 

 we ought not to allow them to breed on our pre- 

 mises, on the ground that they are not doing much 

 harm just where they are. 



The next point of importance is the treatment of 

 the standard stocks. In almost all the books on the 

 subject that I have read it is advised that, sooner or 

 later before budding, all shoots from the standard 

 stems be removed except the two or three near the 

 top which are reserved to be operated upon. I 

 would say : Do nothing of the sort — do not remove 

 unnecessarily a single leaf, save of suckers from 

 beneath the surface of the soil, and let these be 

 gently but firmly pulled out as will hereafter be 

 described. Eemove no lateral branch or part of 

 one during the whole season of growth : and as this 

 seems opposed to general recommendation, I will 

 endeavour to give the reason for the advice. 



A plant in its natural state has always a complete 

 balance of strength between the parts above ground 

 and underground — the branches and the roots. If, 

 in summer, or during the period of growth, the roots 

 be injured, cut off, or lessened, the foliage, Which is 

 the most prominent outward sign of vigour, will 

 suffer in proportion, but if not killed, will restore 

 the balance of root power as soon as possible. If, 

 on the other hand, shoots or leaves are cut off or 

 injured during the summer, the roots will cease to 

 increase till they have restored the balance of power 

 to the foliage. Thus, in summer, cutting back the 

 root hinders the growth of the plant, and taking 

 away shoots with leaves on them checks the growth 

 of the roots. 



