52 THE AMATEURS’ GUIDE 
arises from the extensiveness of the genus, differing so much in 
habit and character. The mode of pruning should be determined 
by the object of the operator, keeping in view the health and habit 
of the plant. The beauty of the plant, as well as the quality and 
disposition to flower, depend on judicious pruning. This opera- 
tion is performed in spring and autumn. We prefer the former, 
for, when done in March, the shoots are not likely to be injured by 
frost, as is frequently the case when the operation is performed in 
autumn; for should we have a few days of mild weather, the buds 
become excited and push forth shoots, when, if severe weather 
follow, they become frosted, and the bloom perishes. The es- 
sential directions for pruning roses, will be found under the head 
of each class, viz: ‘ 
Mortrriora rosss should have the old wood ‘only thinned out, 
unless locality demand it, when the young shoots may be moder- 
ately headed in, early in the spring, before the buds begin to 
swell. ‘ 
Moss roszs require to have the wood of the preceding year’s 
growth thinned out. The young wood should only be thinned 
out where they cross each other, and this very moderately. The 
plants should never be cut down lower than four feet. 
Norsrrre rosgs may be pruned from November to March. Thin 
out the old wood of two or three year’s growth, and shorten all the 
shoots in proportion to their growth. Those which have made a 
growth of one or two feet, should be cut to within four or six eyes 
of the preceding year’s wood; and shoots which have made a 
growth of four to ten feet, should be shortened in to three to eight 
feet; and so in proportion. If pruned in this manner, several va- 
rieties will bloom the whole season. The flowering stems should 
be cut off as soon as they begin to decay, unless the seed be 
required, as the ripening of the seed impoverishes the plant and 
retards the succession of bloom. 
TEa-ScENTED Ross should be pruned only of all decayed or sur- 
plus wood, merely sufficient to keep the branches from becoming 
too crowded. 
