8 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



ence or Gallica Rose is easily rooted by layering. Cuttings of the 

 harder- wooded varieties are slow to strike roots, and are extremely 

 liable to rot or damp-off at or under the surface of the soil. This 

 suggests that a dry airy atmosphere is the best condition in which to 

 strike them. We have therefore been tolerably successful, by insert- 

 ing cuttings round the side of small 4-inch pots, in rather stiff soil, and 

 placing the pots, when filled, in the sun, much the same as Gera- 

 nium cuttings, on gravel, at the foot of a wall, in the month of Octo- 

 ber, until the cuttings had formed the callus at their base, afterwards 

 protecting them in a cold pit, well aired, where roots were formed in 

 spring. By this means a pretty large percentage of cuttings will 

 strike. Too much wet must be avoided ; over-dryness at that season 

 is not so much to be dreaded. We have also been successful, more or 

 less, by inserting the cuttings in the open border, first making the 

 position hard by treading, and then spreading a coat of puddle 2 

 inches deep over the surface, and inserting into the puddle good 

 strong cuttings with a heel attached. In a short time the puddle 

 stiffens, and firmly envelops the base of the cutting, excluding 

 the air. In winter loose leaves can be spread between the rows of 

 cuttings, to help to exclude frost. In this way we have seen more 

 than 50 per cent struck. Much depends on the weather. The proper 

 time to insert the cuttings is early in October. The same success 

 would not attend the operation if a cold frame is used, because of 

 the damp stagnant atmosphere. Marvellous as are the Rose-bushes to 

 be seen sometimes on the Manetti or other stocks in the open border, 

 and more so as pot-Roses, still they are as nothing compared to what 

 they are capable of growing to on their own roots, either in the open 

 air or under glass— General Jacqueminot forming a bush so high that 

 the writer could not reach the bunches of Roses. 



The advantages of growing Roses on their own roots are many. 

 There is no trouble with suckers — these become an advantage ; there 

 is not the misery of daily looking on a stock which is irretrievably 

 dying by slow degrees, and starving the poor Rose ; there is no stak- 

 ing or tying required, strangling is avoided, and chafing by the effect 

 of the cord. They practically defy frost ; for if killed to the surface, 

 they will spring again from the roots. 



Our professional wisdom was exercised in the selection and plant- 

 ing of several dozen choice Standards last spring— 2-feet stems, and 

 fine .heads. Spacious pits were dug ; great care taken in the mix- 

 ture of yellow loam and rotten manure ; much grave deliberation on 

 the planting, staking, and tying was expended ; the hopes of the lady 

 rosarian were high ; watering and watching was not neglected ; and 

 woe betide a grub or a green-fly ! In May the foliage was good, and 

 the buds numerous and plump. But it proved a grievous month for 

 the Roses ! It was the daily privilege of two i^et donkeys to be par- 

 aded on a walk adjoining the Roses. One morning early those saga- 

 cious and omnivorous animals undid the latch of the garden-gate^ and 



