HOW TO PRUNE ROSES 55 
back. I would not leave more than four buds on even the strongest. 
This is the only way in which to lay the foundation of a good plant. 
Time to Prune.—The third week in March is the best time to 
prune the majority of Roses in southern and midland gardens ; 
a Asc Dla _ 
THE SAME ROSE PRUNED. 
farther north pruning may be delayed for ten days. Tea Roses are 
pruned last since they are less hardy. In the south they may be 
pruned the second week in April, and in the north the third week of 
that month. Tea Roses often make a lot of weak, sappy, useless 
shoots, and pruning consists chiefly in cutting out these; the 
remaining ones are shortened according to their vigour, the weakest 
