802 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



under coDsideratiock, namely the white flowering Bride and the pink 

 Bridesmaid, for no roses root with greater certainty than they. The 

 great advantage the Manetti stock, before referred to, possesses for 

 grafting purposes, is its strong tendency to produce numerous and 

 vigorous roots, thus re-enforcing any variety-, upon which a success- 

 ful union — by graftiog — with it has been made, against the many 

 vicissitudes plant-life is heir to, whether said plants are growing out- 

 doors or under glass, more especially perhaps when growing under 

 the latter conditions. 



A serious trouble wuth roses in some soils is the presence of the 

 BO-called eel worm, scientifically belonging to the nematode family. 

 These little worms in some way chew and feed upon the roots, caus- 

 ing what is known as "club root," thus interfering with tjie regular 

 functions of the roots, and in consequence the general health of the 

 plant is impaired. When grafted upon the stock mentioned if the eel 

 worm is present in the soil, the vigorous constitution of the stock 

 in question has the power naturally to recuperate quickly, and there- 

 in is where its utility and strength lies. 



There is another stock recommended under certain conditions for 

 grafting purposes for roses, and that is the Eosa Multiflora, a wild 

 rose of Japan. This stock, however, has been found too vigorous 

 for the section of the tea-scented rose in general use for winter flower- 

 ipg, furnishing sap presumably more freely than the Tea roses men- 

 tioned above can elaborate to advantage. The American Beauty has 

 so far shown no decided advantages when grafted on the Manetti 

 stock, which, by the way, is itself increased by cuttings, whereas 

 the Multiflora is very easily raised from seed, which is much the 

 cheaper w^ay to get up stock, and if the Beauty took kindly to the lat- 

 ter stock it might be advantageous to use it for that purpose, be- 

 cause Beauty does not root with nearly the same certainty as does a 

 Tea rose. It may or it may not surprise some growers to know' that 

 Golden Gate and its white sport Ivory, with their natural vigorous 

 constitution, are considered by other experts to be improved by 

 grafting on the Manetti stock. 



Before leaving the subject of grafting, it may be mentioned that 

 dormant pieces, with two or three eyes and two and a half inches long 

 or so, of the celebrated and popular Crimson Rambler rose, which 

 is seen on every hand outdoors in full bloom in the month of June 

 in and near to the larger cities, and grafted on any congenial stock — 

 the Multiflora has been found admirable for this purpose — and given 

 proper treatment under glass, may be had in full bloom in a four- 

 inch pot the latter part of March or early in April, and such plants 

 make excellent gifts for friends, or find ready sale if prepared with 

 that object in view. 



