ROSES 



41 



minimum number of ripe shoots having been selected to 

 remain, the rest should be cut right away. Banksian 

 Roses, however, must be pruned very lightly, only the 

 dead wood being removed, and the strong shoots slightly 

 shortened. Summer Roses and Hybrid Perpetuals 

 should be pruned much more severely. All dead wood 

 should be removed, and all old wood which is becoming 

 weakly in comparison with the rest of the plant. All 

 weak and sappy growths should also be removed, and 

 the strong growths which remain should be cut back to 

 a bud growing outwards about eight inches from the 

 ground. The weaklier the variety the fewer buds 

 should be left, and the more severe should be the 

 pruning. Tea Roses and Noisettes should be pruned 

 in April or May. In this case but little cutting is 

 required. The dead and weakly growths should be 

 removed, and any tendency to 'Megginess" should be 

 corrected. Sweet Briars and other single Roses need 

 no pruning whatever. As to stocks, it is generally 

 better to purchase Roses grown on the briar stock or on 

 their own roots, and insistence should be laid on the 

 plant having plenty of fibrous roots. 



