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Pruning 



If you have bought two- or three- year-old plants, cut them 

 back rather severely at the time of planting — to three or four 

 buds on the Hybrid Perpetuals and about six on the Teas and Hybrid 

 Teas. Always cut the stem just above a bud that points out, never 

 above one that points toward the center of the plants. The term bud 

 or eye is used to define the places on the stem where leaves will be 

 produced. They are easily distinguished, as they look like small, 

 pointed warts on the stems. If the plants are in leaf when planted, 

 the above does not apply. The crop of flowers on the Rose plants is 



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largely governed by the kind of pruning the 

 plants receive. In fact, other conditions 

 being ideal, the pruning determines the 

 quantity and the size of the flowers. 



The Hybrid Perpetuals and other hardy 

 and Climbing Roses should be pruned in 

 March if weather permits, by the middle of 

 the month. The tender Roses, the Teas and 

 Hybrids, need not be pruned until along in 

 April, when the sap begins to flow and the 

 buds begin to swell, for, at this time, dead 

 and weak wood may be much more easily 

 distinguished and cut out than earlier in the 

 season. Besides, it is an advantage to leave 

 the mulch undisturbed until settled weather 

 has arrived. At the time of pruning, one 

 must decide upon the kind of crop wanted. 

 If the very biggest and best flowers are 

 wanted, then severe pruning is necessary 

 (see I, p. 15); if large crop of average flow- 

 ers, then only moderate pruning (see 2, p. 

 15); but, where quantity of bloom is pre- 

 ferred, only a little pruning is necessary 

 (see 3, p. 15). 



When pruning Hybrid Perpetuals, first cut out the weak wood and 

 any branches that cross, then cut back the strong canes to about 

 six eyes, the top one pointing out, and the cut being made one-quarter 

 of an inch above the bud. If you want only a few big flowers, cut 

 back to only three or four buds. For the big outdoor display, leave 

 four to seven canes two-thirds their growth. The Teas and Hybrid 

 Teas will need the same attention, but there should be as much or 

 more wood left. In case the winter may have killed the canes, cut 

 back to live wood, even if down to the surface of the soil. 



These rules are modified somewhat by the character of the plant. 

 The weaker-growing varieties can be cut back farther than strong- 

 growing sorts. The strong-growing kinds, if cut back too heavily, 

 will run to wood, and in the case of some — Gloire Lyonnaise, for 

 instance — too heavy pruning may kill the plant. 



The Bourbon Roses need but little pruning. Cut back the stems 

 a few inches. This is also true of the Brier Roses, such as Harrison's 

 Yellow and the Ramblers, which should not be pruned much in thejall 

 or spring, but just after the flowering season, to produce wood for 

 next season's bloom. 



Climbing and Pillar Roses need be cut back but one-third to one- 

 fifth, and on old well-established plants, the old, enfeebled wood 

 should also be taken out. 



Showing where to prune 



14 



