87 



A large and strong-growing Rose usually requires 

 some two or three years after planting to reach its full 

 size, and it is therefore during those first years that 

 the plant has to be built up, and its framework, as 

 it were, formed 



INSTRUMENTS FOR PRUNING. 



These need be but few in number, viz., a pruning 

 knife of moderate size, a hone on which to sharpen it, a 

 kneeling pad, a small saw, and an easy pair of garden- 

 ing gloves. It is very itnportant that the knife be kept 

 with a keen edge. This is best done by first obtaining 

 a small piece of old linoleum and spreading upon it 

 some Wellington knife powder. An occasional rub or 

 two of the pruning knife over the surface will produce 

 a much keener cutting edge than that produced by 

 rubbing on an ordinary oil stone. Secateurs may be 

 used for the removal of the hard old wood, but they must 

 be used with great care for general pruning, or a 

 bruising of the cut shoot will result. Only those 

 secateurs should be used which are sharp and have 

 both blades accurately adjusted. 



HOW TO USB THE INSTRUCTIONS. 



Refer to the Alphabetical Descriptive List of Roses 

 for the name of the variety to be pruned. At the end 

 of its description will be found a reference, or references 

 to the method, or methods of pruning recommended. 

 Thus : Prune 4 and 5, means prune according to Instruc- 

 tions 4 and 5. 



Occasionally a short list of varieties is introduced 

 after an " Instruction " as typical of the varieties requir- 

 ing the treatment indicated, but not as a complete list. 



