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Resampled001B6EB1 ll lo )II is &I le d, ls March 16, 1928 PRUNING THE ROSES The pruning of Summer roses, Hybrid Perpetuals and other fairly strong varieties where the object is to form good-looking plants for general decoration and with a quantity of good blooms for cutting is perhaps the most compiicated. The first step which we shoul&l take is to cut out all the dead &rood, and all other wood how- ever thick and old which, as in- dicated by the comparatively small growth made last season, is weak in comparison with the balance of the plant. The first step being completed let us stand back and survey the plant as a whole; our object is to form a well shaped plant somewhat of the even globular form of the rose itself. Rose petals are evenly arranged and do not cross each other in an in- ward direction, such should be l.he shape of the plant. We should keep in mind the fact that the top bud on each shoot will grow first and in the direction in which it points; therefore we should ahvays cut back to a bud which point out- ward so that the center of the plant will not be over crowded. The next step is to determine to how many buds are the shoots to be cut back. The answer to that is found in the Golden Rule of pruning, that more buds are to be left on each shoot in pro- portion as the plant, both as a variety and an individual, is strong, and less in proportion as it is weak. To those who are just starting the growing of Roses, it will perhaps appear strange that we should cut away almost all there is of a weak plant and yet leave longer shoots on a strong plant which seems better able to withstaml the severe pruning. However it is in ac- cordance with the law of Nature, the sun ival of the fittest. It is well to leave a maximum of six buds on strong shoots with a fewer number on the weaker ones. Keep in mind that as a general rule the more a shoot is cut back, the longer will be the growth from the bud left at the top. In pruning all Roses it will sometimes be found that some of the shoots, even the strong ones, have died back, and in all cases this cane should be cut back until healthy wood is found. This is also a good rule to follow when the pith is fund to be brown instead of white. After a warm summer most of the young wood on a well pruned and healthy plant will be fairly well ripened. Sometimes we will find a well ripened shoot practically as firm and brown as the old wood. In such cases plenty of space should be allow- ed for it to develop, cutting out less ripe shoots if necessary. On the other hand we often find shoots unripened, but thicker and greener than the better rip- ened ones, with a very large pith. These are comparatively useless and should be removed. IVe have used up the space al- lotted us this week, and have you might say barely touched on the subject of pruning. We hope to finish it next week. An Interested Reader writes --I am clearing a piece of land about forty by eighty feet for garden produce, but how to pre- pare this lan&1 to get good re- sults, I am in doubt, and I ask for your aid. Should this land be screened, if so, how large a mesh'! The soil is sandy and rather rocky. What kind of fer tilizer should I use in lieu of stable manure, and how to ap- ply. Perhaps you could tell me the quantities I would require. All trees around here are alder, if that adds to the condition of the soil. Answer--We do not advise screening the soil. Rocks, un- less there is a preponderance of them, and in your case I do not think that is true, do not do any harm except to the edges of your garden tools, and are of consider- able value for drainage purpos- es. Dig or plough your ground up thoroughly, then take your garden rake and rake off all the surface rocks you can. That is all that is necessary if you mean to use the ground only for gar- den produce. Should you desire to turn any portion of the plot into lawn, a finer stand of grass would be obtained by screening, using one-half inch mesh and screening to a depth of between three and four inches. We strongly advise the use of a good manure (preferably cow) as a fertilizer, particularly on soil such as one finds in West Vancouver, as it adds consider- able amount of humus. Soil, where there is considerable growth of alder will make good garden land, and located where you are, there must be quanti- ties of leaf mould close by. IVould suggest that you gather up some of this and dig it into ycur garden. Commercial fertilizer can be applied either broadcast or plac- ed in the potato or corn hills, etcu and in the seed drills. Ap- plied broadcast more is required but it is safer as it is not so likely to burn the roots of the vegetables. However if the fer- tilizer is placed at the bottom of the holes and seed drills and thoroughly mixed with the soil before planting the seeds, there ivill be no danger from burning, and quicker results will be se- cured. Use a small handful to a hill of potatoes, corn, beans, etc., and a large handful for a- bout five feet of seed drill. Don' forget to mix it thoroughly with the soil before sowing the seed. Any &veil balanced commercial fertilizer is satisfactory. For broadcasting you will require a- bout 20 Olbs. but for direct ap- plication 100 lbs. should about suffice. Do not expect too much the first year from your soil as it takes some time to get it in shape. The second year you will notice a big difference in the way the soil works and produces. NOTE--The writer wlu coasldsr It a pleas re to answer questions coaccrnlng the gardea In this colure. Tbe uuestlons should be addressed to the writer In care ol tbo Editor. Tho ~newer wlu appear la aa ea ly Issue or II a personal reply ls desired a starepe, ~elf-addressed envelope should be eacloscd. I.ECTURE ON BRIDGES AT HIGH SCHOOI, A lecture on "Bridges, Ancient and Modern," was given by Mr. R. Bayliss, B.A.Sc., under the auspices of the Students'ssoci- ation in the High School audi- torium last Friday afternoon. The students of the FIigh School and the senior classes from the Public Schools were all accom- modated ivith seats; and the back wall of the stage provided a most convenient screen for the lantern views ivhen the window shades had been drawn down. The slides, to the nuniber of 60, represented bridges from all parts of the world, many of them of historical interest, which were described by the lecturer with easy fluency and wide know- ledge. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Bayliss at the close of the lecture. )Ve'd like a debate on ivhy old shoes hurt women's feet, &phile affording solid comfort to a man. GARDENS AND GARDENING By MINA G. HUTT, Landscape Architect Craduate In Landscaping U. ol C, Atnrrlcsa Scbool ol Landscape Arcblt cruse aad Cardealng. hi tahar National Landscape Service. THE WEST VAN NEWS I.EGION MAS(1UERADE SKI CHA5IPIONSHIP TOi11ORROW NIGH'r FOR LEYLAND CUP The West Vancouver branch of the Canadian Legion is giving their eighth annual St. Patrick' Day masquerade dance tomor- row, Saturday night, in the Hol- lyl&urn I'aviiion. 1)ancing will start at 8 and be continued till midnight. The grand march headed by Pipers J. IValls and D. Niven will take place at 10 p.m. followed by the judging. which will be in the capable hands of Mr. and Mrs. John IVat- son of North Vancouver, who have had long experience in judging fancy dresses. While There will be two prizes for best gentlemen's and ladies'ancy, original, and comic costumes, or six prizes in all, fancy dress is optional. Child's orchestra will l&e in attendance and there will be refreshments. Admission 50 cents. The Legion masquerade every St. Patrick's Day has be- come a recognized social event, and a large attendance is expect- ed. MRS. GORDON WRIGHT TO SPEAK ON "TEMPERANCE Next Sunday evening (18th inst.) at 7.80 Mrs. Gordon IVright the national president of the )V. C. T. U., will give an ad- dress on TEMPERANCE in St. Andrew's United Church, North Vancouver. Mrs. Wright has a reputation as a fluent, forceful speaker and she has given much study to this question. Her ad- dress will be well worth hearing. There will be a silver collection. The winner of the jumping and cross country race held bv the Hollyburn Pacific Ski Club next Sunday (the 18th) will re- ceive the Leyland Cup represent- ing club championship. The cup will be awarded the skier making the most points in both competitions, irrespective of class. Jumping will start at 2 p.m. The Leyland Cup was donated last fall. A CORRECTION Editor West Van News: You gave me credit in last week's "Personalsu for a task too big for me. The selection an&1 arrangement of the biographical slides from my Burns'ollection were performed by Mr. A. Fras- er Reid, the zealous secretary of the Burns Fellowship, whose ad- mirable address they were used to illustrate at the meeting of the Fellowship on March 5th. Yours truly, J. PORTER WATERSHED COMifiIITTEE lfiIEETING The District Forester invited the council to attend a meeting of the Watershed Forest Protec- tion Committee to be held in b ofFice in the court house on Wed- nesday, 21st March. Councillor Fiddes will be present on behalf of the council, if it is possible for him to do so. "TRIXIE" "Only a dog, they say, )Veil maybe that's true, But "Trix" was a real Pal, Right through and through. She would watch each morn with saddened eye, As off to my work in the city I'd fly, Then each evening patiently wait me to greet, Then happy would cuddle up close to my feet. Many long tramps we had to- gether, In bright sunshine or stormy weather, For Trixie was a comrade true, Now she's gone, I'm feeling blue. "Only a dog," maybe that's right But, as I sit alone tonight, I know a staunch Pal has been taken away, and she'l live in my memory for many a day. IV. H. D. The Leap Year dance held under the auspices of the Dun- can Lawson Chapter, I.O.D.E., proved to be a popular affair Using a color scheme of red and white and a profusion of hearts for decorations Hollyburn Pavilion presented a gay appear- ance and the orchestra was splendid. The $2.50 gold piece which was drawn by 5Ir. R. C. Procter was won by itir. Gordon Grey. The cushion drawn for by &51r. John Lawson was won by ticket No. 8, the lucky ivinner being Mr. H. L. McLean. "'rom 'Drest to Vou" You are cordially invited to visit our office at the foot of Pemberton Ave., on the waterfront, where you will be sh nvn the development bvork of the past year. You will be surprised at the huge stock of grade lumber of all kinds. The Capilano Timber Co. Ltd. Specialists in Cedar. Foot of Pt:mbcrton Ave. Night Phone North 127 North 806 Patronize our North Shore Industries. This means increased prosperity for them which is is turn reflected back on all North Shore residents. Get acquainted with them.