Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-05-02
HO RTICULTURAL
Pruning Roses


Il writer III The EOrticulturist gives somC
practical directions on this subject which will
be useful TO many of our readers. He say.
this operation will require to be performed dur.
ing March, April, and the two first weeks IN
May (but not ater). For our season we would
| place the time at two TO three months earlier;
say IN ordinary seasons, December, January,
| and February; but this season a little later
Commence with the more hardy varieties, such
as French, Moss, Provence, etc these. for tho
moist part, have dormant looking buds. and
being less active than OF hers take less time
FOR their development. Next begin the hybrids,
hybrid perpetual, hybrid Bourbon, and hvIrid
China; but as these are more exc.table than
The above, they should be pruned the latter end
Of March and beginning of April. The ten
der \ NoisetteChina and tca-scented kinds should
not be pruncd till month later
Before commencing 10 prune, it is necessary
to observe The habit of the plant, whether It
be IA vigorous, dwarf variety; also. to de-
terlnlnc, with those kinds suitable for exbibi
ting, whether they are rq Tired for that pur
pose, and if So large blo1msa-o required
and less Of them. unl these eln be
obtained by close pruning; in the latter in
stance, longer pruning must be adopted, when
Il greater quantity Of blooms will be obtained
but they will be inferior in qualify and less in
size. Carefully thinout the heads of The plants.
and take away the small crowded branches. and
all gross, unripe shoots, leaving such only as
are composed Of firm and well ripened wood
and leave these ut regular and equal distances.
Prime down according 10 the strength of The
shoot and habit of the variety; in some cases,
two or three inches; in others, where the habit
is vigorous, one foot, or even eighteen inches.
VIII not be too long for shoot to be left; but
as this depends upon the habit of the varsity
and shoot TO be pruncd, no absolute general
RUE can be given IN shortening The shoots
Gut close to an eye, observing, when practica-
bic, to leave vel swollen, plump buds, which
will always produce the finest blooms likewise
secure those having an outward teEdencv. and
pointing in direction proper for the han l,on e
formation Of the plant The Frclc Alba,
and nearly all the Moss Roses, require rather
close pruningi and ii large blooms are required
for exhibition. this particular must be strictly
attended to. The hybrid Chinas and hybrid
Boulbouns are, with very few exceptions, very
vigorous growers, ard require more care in
p NHltS a1Htu must DIuCT SOFlS. A n 0CQuaIn-
tance with the varieties is necessary TO enable
the operator to Prune successfully; for instance,
we have Fulgens and Brennus, two vigorous
growing varieties, which frequently produce
shoots five or six feet long in season. either
of which, if pruned as recommended for the !
French, or some other Of like habits, would /
not produce IA flower; whereas, with judicious
pruning. every shoot would be made to give /
large trusses OF blooms. The varieties in these
two classes must therefore be carefully studied, /
as there are some among them which require I
close pruning, and these may be known by
their moderate style Of growth, when compar
I'd with the majority of the same classes. Young
plants, just received from the nursery, will re-
/ lire 10 be pruned down TO two or three eyes,
4 little more or less, according to the habit Of
The variety. Unless this is attended to, large
md handsome beads are rarely obtained. Cal
fornid Farmer.