12 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GARDENIisG. 



more wood still, and of greater strength than he- 

 fore. The modern remedy for excessive top growth 

 is root-pruning. (Fig. 32.) Search out for and 

 find a few of the strongest roots, cut them hack 

 to within a foot or so of the root-stock, and any 

 excess of top growth will hegin to cease from that 

 moment. 



Another result of root-pruning is an increased 

 amount of hloom. Moderate-sized wood is generally 

 more floriferous than that which is more rohust. 

 But, in addition to that, a reduction of the number of 



Fig. 32 



the roots, and their distui-hance, favour bloom and 

 discourage growth. 



Method and Times of Root-pruning.— 



These, as we have ah-eady seen, are indirect and 

 direct. The mere movdng of the roots to see if 

 pruning he needful is an example of the former, and 

 even were none cut or destroyed, some of the bene- 

 fit of pruning would result from it. The extent of 

 the direct pruning will have to be determined on the 

 spot, and will dej)end on the number, size, and 

 health, fleetness or otherwise of the roots, and the 

 vigour of the tops. One-half or two-thirds of the 

 stronger may generally be cut vdth. safety. The 

 uncovering of the roots also affords an excellent op- 

 portunity of removing the whole of the undergro^md 

 stems or suckers, and of applying fresh soil or com- 



posts. These will largely assist in the formation 

 and rapid development of a better class of — that is, 

 more fibrous — roots. 



Amateurs and tyros in Eose-cultm-e are apt to 

 think that with the fall of the leaf their labour 

 and duties to their Roses alike come to an end. 

 There could hardly be a greater mistake. It is 

 just then that the cultivator can do the most 

 and best for his Roses. During the summer, as a 

 rule, he can only work upon or manipulate their 

 tops. The autumnal and winter seasons throw the 



roots open to his free and safe interference. October 

 is the best on the whole for root-pruning. Wounds 

 made then heal almost on the heels of the knife. Roots 

 (see chapter on Pla^-ting) are formed at that season 

 with extraordinary rapidity. Sufiicient time also 

 intervenes between the root-pruning and the growing 

 season, to enable the roots to minister to the wants of 

 the branches soon after starting in the spring. 



Summer Root-pruning. — This, where a more 

 severe check is desirable, may be given in June or 

 July. Just as the first blooming is over, the fii'st 

 growth almost matiu'ed, and before the second 

 growth, on such Roses as Perpetuals, starts, is a good 

 time to root-prune the over- vigorous. The process 

 must not be carried too far, nor indeed is it neces- 

 sary, as far less root-pruning in summer will prove as 



