68 STOCKS. 



cut into lengths of about ten inches, and they are 

 taken without a heel ; that is, they are not cut to a 

 joint in the wood, which although it ensures a greater 

 percentage of cuttings rooting, is a constant source 

 of suckers. Briar cuttings, unlike Rose strikings, 

 should be taken from the ripest wood procurable of 

 the year's growth; choose straight pieces without 

 lateral growth, and cut to an eye. Having secured as 

 many as you require, remove all thorns, make a clean 

 cut at the bottom of the cutting, then cut out all eyes 

 except the top two : this is most essential, as if planted 

 with the eyes left in, nearly every other eye would 

 grow out and form a sucker. There is a lot of trouble 

 in the selecting and making of a suitable cutting, and 

 I think, apart from the experiment, it is far simplest 

 to purchase what you require from a nursery. How- 

 ever, it is a good experience, and every grower should 

 iDe able to prepare and grow his stocks from start to 

 finish. When all is ready, dig out your trench and 

 set your cuttings three inches apart from each other, 

 and not less than one foot between the rows. Make 

 the soil as firm as possible round all the cuttings, and 

 when your planting is finished the lower eye should be 

 just about level with the top of the soil. Given a good 

 season, a fair percentage of cuttings should root, but 

 it is always wisest to plant twice as many as you 

 require, both for potting up and also for working in 

 the open. By October the cuttings will be ready to 

 transplant to their new quarters for budding in the 

 following July. 



When raising for planting out, dig deeply and 

 carefully, so as not to damage the roots formed at 

 the base of the cutting ; trim off all roots growing out 

 of the sides, keeping only those at the bottom, which 

 may be shortened to a uniform length. The head, also 

 formed from the two buds left on at planting time, 

 can be cut back to three eyes. Thus prepared for the 

 second time, they are now planted out in rows, allow- 

 ing nine inches between each tree. Do not plant too 

 deep, for you must bud as low as possible. Most 



