HOW TO PRUNE YOUR ROSES 
Pruning is the art of improving the productive power, and the appearance of a plant. It consists of two distinct operations. 
I. The removal of dead, weak, overcrowded, or otherwise useless shoots. Unripe wood which in the spring will usually be 
found to have discolored pith, caused by the winter frosts, should be cut clean away at the base of the shoot; Pruning proper, the 
shortening of those shoots which are allowed to remain after the thinning-out process has been completed. 
The most frequent errors made in pruning are (l) leaving too many shoots when thinning out; (2) pruning severely the shoots 
of varieties which require little, if any, shortening; (3) pruning lightly the varieties which require severe pruning; (4) leaving 
Rose plants crowded with shoots and cutting these to a uniform length all over the plant in a similar way that a hedge is clipped. 
In thinning out a shoot, it should be either cut clean away to the base of the plant, or to its starting point on the older 
shoot from which it springs, as the case may be. When the plant has been pruned the shoots should be left as nearly as 
possible equidistant from each other, and regularly arranged around it so that it presents a well-balanced appearance on all 
sides.— National Rose Society’s Handbook on Pruning. 
HYBRID PERPETUALS 
See pages 38 to 41 
The Hybrid Perpetuals should be pruned in March, if weather 
permits, by the middle of the month. 
When pruning, first cut out the weak wood and any branches 
that cross, then cut back the strong canes to about six eyes, 
pie top one pointing out, and the cut being made one-quarter 
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. 
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. 
TEAS AND HYBRID TEAS 
See pages 16 to 24 
The Teas and Hybrid Teas will need 
the same attention as the Hybrid Per¬ 
petuals, 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 sur¬ 
face of the soil. 
You will get lots of bloom from the 
Showing wh' 5 re to prune new canes that will come up. 
POLYANTHAS 
See page 26 
These, as a rule, are very hardy and no pruning is necessary 
except to thin out the thick growth and remove the last season’s 
flower stems. 
BOURBONS AND CHINAS 
See page 27 
Only moderate pruning is necessary. Simply remove any 
dead and useless wood. 
MOSS ROSES 
See page 36 
These require moderately close pruning and should have an 
abundance of manure for successful cultivation 
RUGOSA ROSES 
See page 35 
These do not require pruning after the first season, except 
cutting away dead wood and keeping the plant shapely. Are 
also rich feeders. 
HARDY CLIMBERS 
See pages 28 to 34 
These need to be cut back only about one-fifth, and on old, 
well-established plants the old, enfeebled wood should also be 
taken out. With this class it is well to bear in mind that it is 
on the wood made the previous season that the bloom stalks 
come for the next season’s display, therefore. Hardy Climbers 
should be pruned and trimmed back (if they need trimming) 
after their blooming period is over and before they make new 
summer growth. 
ROSE ENEMIES 
Probably our worst enemy to American Roses is the Rose 
Beetle, which is particularly .severe on sandy soils. For this, 
hand-picking into a vessel of kerosene is effective, or one pound 
of arsenate of lead in ten gallons of water sprayed on every 
two weeks through June and July is a preventive. This is 
also a good remedy for the Rose slug, which skeletonizes the 
leaves. He works from the under side of the foliage, so, when 
after him, turn the foliage and spray it thoroughly. 
Aphides, or green flies, attack the plants during May and 
June, and if not dispatched they multiply rapidly, and suck the 
life-blood from the leaves. A vigorous spraying of Thompson’s 
Rose nicotine will settle them. Scale seldom bothers any 
except old, neglected shrub Roses. Use scalecide or lime-and- 
sulphur wash. 
Of the fungous diseases, mildew is by far the worst and most 
difficult to overcome. It will be recognized as a white mold, 
appe^ng on the foliage, which if not checked will spread. 
This is most likely to occur in warm, damp weather, and 
certain varieties, such as Crimson Ramblers, are more subject 
to its attacks. Bordeaux Mixture applied at fortnightly inter¬ 
vals is a good preventive. As a cure, flowers of sulphur dusted 
on the foliage is recommended, also “Grape Dust.” For black 
•pot, nist and other fungous diseases follow the same course. 
INSECTICIDES 
Thompson’s Rose Nicotine i.s chemically pure nicotine 
and quick death to insects on Roses. No trouble, no odor, no 
staining; simply apply as directed with spray pump or plant 
sprinkler. Small can 30 cts., larger size 65 cts., postpaid. 
Sulpho-Tobacco Soap. Another splendid insecticide. Di¬ 
rections for use on every package. 3-0Z. cake makes i gallons 
prepared solution, 10 cts. each; 8-oz. cake makes 4 gallons pre¬ 
pared solution, 25 cts., postpaid. 
Hellebore, Powdered White. For the destruction of slugs, 
worms, caterpillars, etc. Less poisonous than Paris Green and 
London Purple, and safer to use. Use as a powder or dissolve 
one ounce in three gallons of water. 3^1b. box, 20 cts.; lb. 25 cts.; 
5 lbs., $1; 10 lbs., $2; 25 lbs. and over at 18 cts. per lb., by 
express; postpaid, J^lb. 25 cts., for other quantities add 10 cts. 
extra to express price for every pound, when wanted by mail. 
Grape Dust. For mildew, mold or rust mites. 15 cts. lb., 
5 lbs. 40 cts., by express only (not prepaid); postpaid, 25 cts. 
per lb. 
Bordeaux Mixture (Dry). For dusting plants affected 
with mildew, and all fungous diseases. Can be used as a spray. 
I lb. box, 25 cts. (makes 5 gallons liquid); 5 lbs., $i,_ by 
express. If wanted by mail, add 10 cts. per lb. to above prices. 
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