90 



THE BOOK OF THE ROSE 



CHAP. 



grapes and other garden produce will probably have got 

 over this difficulty. 



The next question is, how far, i.e. to how many buds, 

 are the shoots to be cut back ; and the answer is to be 

 found in the golden rule of pruning, that more buds are 

 to be left on each shoot in proportion as the plant, both 

 as a variety and an individual, is strong, and less in pro- 

 portion as it is weak. To a novice in Rose- growing it 

 appears strange at first that we should cut away almost 

 all there is left of a weakly-growing and precious variety, 

 which would seem to be almost exterminated by such 

 severity, and yet leave longer shoots on a strong sort 

 which seems better able to stand the rough treatment ; 

 but the rule is nevertheless in strict accordance with the 

 law of nature — Darwin's survival of the fittest — and 

 the law of God " Whosoever hath, to him shall be given." 

 I have elsewhere (p. 73) endeavoured to show that the 

 same rule applies in Rose-growing to the application of 

 liquid manure to strong and weakly plants, and to the 

 number of each variety which should be grown by those 

 who are not exhibitors. 



A wise editor used to give as his advice to young 

 authors in whom he had confidence, Don't argue — 

 lay down the law " ; and the counsel of a judge to 

 judges of all sorts to give their sentences without their 

 reasons is well known as pointing out the most useful 

 and prudent course to pursue. But the reason for the 

 above rule in pruning seems so clear that I think it 

 should be added. In proportion as a plant is strong in 

 growth, from the natural habit of the variety or in a less 

 degree from the condition of the individual, leave more 

 buds, to perhaps six as a maximum, on each shoot : 

 because the strong grower has the capability of supplying 

 several buds on each shoot with a sufficiency of sap for 



