PRUNING 



45 



time. Scotch Roses can be treated in the 

 same way, and are much benefited by being 

 cut clean to the ground once in about seven 

 years. Their habit of spreading by under- 

 ground stems helps the recovery. 



3. Wild Roses, R. blanda, Carolina, lucida, 

 nitida, etc., are grown not only for the flowers, 

 but for the bright twigs and hips, in winter. 

 Consequently much depends upon sturdy 

 growth. They are frequently planted in 

 such quantity that careful pruning is impos- 

 sible. Take out the older wood from time to 

 time, and at intervals of several years, deter- 

 mined by their condition, cut clean to the 

 ground, at the same time give manure, and 

 reset the plants, discarding the old and feeble. 

 Rosa rugosa and its variety alba do not 

 require annual pruning, unless it be a little 

 shortening-in of the tips — an interminable 

 operation. After these plants are well estab- 

 lished, however, the older canes should be 

 cut out occasionally, thus keeping the centre 

 free and encouraging new growths. If at 

 any time they are in bad shape from winter 

 killing or disease, they can be cut to the 

 ground. Hybrids of Rosa rugosa, like Mad- 

 ame Bruant, are helped by spring pruning, 



