58 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



glass. During the first few days it is necessary to shade them through 

 the hottest part of the day, but as soon as root action is noticed, shading 

 should be dispensed with. From year to year the advantages of grafted 

 over own-root roses are more recognized and understood, so that today 

 tnere is hardly any large place where grafted roses do not predominate. 

 The grafting is done on Manettii, which is imported from Europe, 

 and usually arrives by the middle of December. The stock should at 

 once be unpacked and potted or heeled in a cool place, covering it up 

 about two-thirds with soil which is afterwards well watered. They can 

 then be potted as convenient, but must be done before the white rootlets 

 get too long or the stocks commence to grow. They are potted in as 

 small pots as possible, placed in a temperature of 50 to 55 degrees and 

 should get a thorough watering. After this the spraying of the wood 

 two or three times a day is all that is needed. When root action com- 

 mences and the buds begin to swell, they are ready for grafting. The 

 grafting in itself is very simple. Make an oblique cut about one-half to 

 one inch in length as close to the pot as can be conveniently done, cut 

 the scion to match the same, place the two cut surfaces together and 

 secure them firmly with raflia or twine. It is not absolutely necessary 

 that scion and stock are of even size, but the barK of the scion and ol 

 the stock must meet exactly, at least on the bottom and on one side. 

 They are then put in an air-tight case. This case may be of any size 

 and can be built in various ways. We use the center of a bench in a 

 house, covering it with sash raised from two to three feet above the 

 plant. The bench should have a thin covering of moss, over which is 

 put a layer of sand. These are well watered before the grafts are placed 

 on it. The grafts, after being made, should be transferred to the case 

 without delay, the temperature being kept about 75 degrees and the case 

 kept closed for about five days. By this time the scion and stock will 

 have sufficiently calloused to permit a little air. This has to be done 

 very carefully, first giving a fraction of an inch, and gradually increas- 

 ing, when in two or three weeks they can stand the full air, but even 

 then they must be guarded against the hot rays of the sun for a week 

 or ten days longer, after which they can be treated like other plants. 



The treatment of own-root and grafted plants is alike, excepting that 

 the grafted plants should get the support of either wire or cane 

 to prevent their breaking off. As soon as the pots are filled with 

 roots, they must be shifted into three-inch and from these into four-inch 

 pots, if such plants are desired before planting in the benches. During 

 this time the plants should never suffer for want of water nor be 

 .kept too wet. They must be guarded against mildew, red spider or 

 blackspot. 



The importance of taking the best care of the young plants should 

 never be lost sight of, and only the most competent man should be 

 trusted with this department. It is here where we lay the foundation 

 for our future success. 



