137 



too dry and water should, therefore, be freely syringed among the foliage. Soot- 

 water perfectly clean and tepid, daily syringed over the plants, taking care to 

 wet every leaf and shoot, is a good remedy. 



Propagating by Budding.— This is not often required in Ceylon, as most 

 roses do best on their own roots, but where standards are desired or where a 

 particular sort is difficult to strike from cutting and also in the case of weak 

 growing varieties— which may be budded on strong growing kinds -this mode ot 

 propagation might be adopted. The operation reriuires to be performed as 

 neatly and quickly as possible, a very sharp knife is indispensible and the other 

 requisites are a water-pan half full of water, to put the scions in, and coarse 

 worsted, Cuba bast, or any such tying materials. 



Any of the strong free growing roses that have taken well to the locality 

 may be used for stocks in preference to either the dog-rose or Manetti. _ ihe 

 former does not like the country and only exists for a time, and the Manetti is too 

 apt to give trouble in throwing up suckers. It is a common thing too tor it to 

 grow up unnoticed and take the place of the rose budded on it and the owner 

 wonders why it will not flower, or if it does flower he is disgusted to imd it only 

 .a small single pink flower and not at all the blossom he hoped for. 



The shoot to be operated on should be in a healthy growing state, of the 

 current year's growth as also should the shoot from which the buds are to be 

 taken. Early in the morning, before 8 o'clock or after four in the afternoon in 

 showery weather, is the best time for budding. The shoots containing the buds 

 having been taken and placed in the water-pot, proceed to tae stock and rub ott 

 the prickles from the shoot, which is to receive the bud, as close doyn *« ^he 

 stem as convenient. Then make a bold cut of about an inch long right through 

 the bark down to the wood, but not deeper, at the upper end make a cross cut, 

 so that the incision will be in the form of the letter T. Now take the bevelled 

 end of the budding knife, and run it up and down the incision to raise the bark 

 on either side. It is now ready for the bud which is best taken from the middle 

 of a shoot. Cut off the leaf, leaving half an inch or so of the leaf stalk, then cut 

 out the bud in the form of a shield, commencing half an inch behind it and cutting 

 upwards almost level, but slightly deeper just under the bud and coming out bait 

 an inch above it. If tliis cut is made well there will be but very little wood m 

 the piece taken off. This should be removed (unless it is very succulent when it 

 may remain) by taking hold of it with tlie thumb-nail and the point of the knite 

 and giving it a sharp twist. Care must, however be taken not to pull out tne 

 bud with it. This part of the work requires a little experience a,nd may be 

 practised on any common shoot beforehand. Next insert the bud in tlie i 

 incision, pushing it under with the handle of the knife. Tlie top part of the 

 bark containing the bud should be cut square so as to abut against the bark ol 

 the stock. 



It should now be carefully and closely, but not tightly, tied with_ worsted 

 or bast commencing at the bottom. If the weather is likely to be hot, it will be 

 necessary to give shade, but it will not be required if the work is performed 

 during showery weather. A good budder will complete the operation well and 

 neatly in two minutes. The longer the time over it, the less the chance of 

 success. If all goes on well, the ties may be loosened in tliree weeks or a month, 

 and after the lapse of another 3 or 4 weeks may be removed altogether. 



Cuttings may be put in at almost any time, but the best time is during long 

 spells of dull weather. Shoots that can be taken off with a heel (that is a small 

 slice or swelling of the old wood taken off with it) are undoubtedly the best and 

 safest. They should be cut to about nine inches long and the lower end cut 

 clean with a sharp knife. If there is not enough shoots with a heel to be had, 

 cuttings can be made from the other shoots, cut up into same lengths rejecting 

 the top parts, for they rarely grow into good plants. The lower ends of the 

 pieces selected should be cut clean across immediately underneath a joint, and if 

 possible the two top leaves should be left entire on both sorts of cuttings. 



They will root best in soil composed of about one-third leaf-mould, and the 

 other two-thirds good sandy loam. It is necessary to insert them very firmly in 

 the soil with about 3 eyes above ground. They may be 'J inciies apart in the 

 row, and the rows 9 inches apart. Shade well as soon as tliey are planted, and 

 sprinkle them with clean water morning and evening for a fortniglit or three 

 weeks, then a little of the shade may be taken off. Tlie soil must be kept moist, 

 but not wet, and light and air should be gradually given as the cuttings are able 



