120 



THE BOOK OF THE ROSE 



CHAP. 



our premises, on the ground that they are not doing 

 much harm just where they are. 



The next point of importance is the treatment of the 

 standard stocks. In almost all the books on the subject 

 that I have read it is advised that, sooner or later before 

 budding, all shoots from the standard stems be removed 

 except the two or three near the top which are reserved 

 to be operated upon. I would say : Do nothing of the 

 sort — do not remove unnecessarily a single leaf, save of 

 suckers from beneath the surface of the soil, and let 

 these be gently but firmly pulled out as will hereafter 

 be described. Remove no lateral branch or part of one 

 during the whole season of growth : and as this seems 

 opposed to general recommendation, I will endeavour to 

 give the reason for the advice. 



A plant in its natural state has always a complete 

 balance of strength between the parts above ground and 

 underground — the branches and the roots. If, in sum- 

 mer or during the period of growth, the roots be injured, 

 cut off, or lessened, the foliage, which is the most 

 prominent outward sign of vigour, will suffer in propor- 

 tion, but if not killed will restore the balance of root 

 power as soon as possible. If, on the other hand, shoots 

 or leaves are cut off or injured during the summer, the 

 roots will cease to increase till they have restored the 

 balance of power to the foliage. Thus, in summer, 

 cutting back the roots hinders the growth of the plant, 

 and taking away shoots with leaves on them checks the 

 growth of the roots. 



But if roots or shoots are cut off during the sleep of 

 winter, no immediate check is given by either to the 

 other, and the first thing the plant does when it wakes 

 up in the spring is to try to restore the balance. If it 

 finds itself with a large growth above ground and roots 



