1879.] MANAGEMENT OF TEA ROSES. 121 



Var. elegantissima — blue and purple. 



,, fastuosa — bright rose. 



,, grandiflora — large red. 



, , purpurea variegata — purple, with silvery variegated leaves. 



,, purpurea plena — double reddish purple. 



,, speciosa plena— double white, purple striped. 



,, violacea plena — double violet. 



Hugh Fraser. 



GRAFTING AND MANAGEMENT OF TEA ROSES. 



Amongst sweet-scented flowers, nothing is more appreciated or gives 

 greater pleasure and satisfaction than a few Tea Rose buds in the 

 winter and spring. The season is fast coming upon us when plants for 

 the supply of flowers next winter and spring should be increased and 

 prepared, which can be done either by striking the cuttings from half- 

 ripened wood in a gentle bottom-heat, or by grafting on the Manetti 

 stock. Of course plants can be purchased for a very small outlay as 

 soon as they are struck or grafted, and grown on ; but my remarks are 

 intended for those who wish to increase the stock without purchasing. 



It would be superfluous to refer to the mode of striking the Manetti 

 for stocks, which is so easily accomplished if cut in lengths of 9 or 10 

 inches, and inserted into the ground : nearly every one will strike. It 

 is useless to waste time in preparing the stocks, as a quantity can be 

 purchased at little cost, rooted and ready for potting. Supposing the 

 stocks are rooted, they are best potted during the winter and plunged 

 outdoors, — cutting the roots well in, so that they can be potted into 

 2 - inch pots, using loam and sand, and a little well - decomposed 

 manure, at the same time shortening back the growths on the top of 

 the stock. 



The stocks will be ready for grafting in March, or earlier, if placed 

 in a cool house or frame, provided they have made roots sufficient in 

 their pots by that time, and the wood for grafting is ready, which 

 should be half ripened. It is therefore necessary that a batch of 

 plants be started into growth early, from which the grafts are to be 

 taken. If the stocks have not been potted in early winter, they should 

 be potted at once, and placed in a frame to commence growing, instead 

 of being placed outside. When sufficient young roots are made, and 

 the sap is flowing freely, the operation can be performed. 



The best system of grafting is that known as tongue-grafting, as the 

 operator can use a stock of very slender dimensions. In performing 

 the work, the stock can be cut off within 2 inches of the soil, and a 

 notched slice should be cut through the bark of the stock about f of an 

 inch in length, against which the cut portion of the graft should be 

 fitted, and made secure with a small bass tie, and then well rubbed 

 over with grafting wax or clay,— either will answer the purpose. 



