EXHIBITING. 123 



centage of large blooms is certainly g^reater than that 

 obtained from any other stock. For H.T.s, without 

 a doubt, the Briar cuttings is the best stock that can be 

 used, and it seldom fails to make good, permanent 

 plants, with a quantity of fibrous roots. For T. Roses 

 I have always shown a preference for the seedling 

 Briar, which produces later blooms than the Briar cut- 

 ting, and maintains a greater vigour to a later period 

 of the year. However, both these latter stocks are ex- 

 cellent, and H.T.s and T.s should, according to the 

 time of flowering of the variety, be grown on each. 

 Having secured, as early in the season as possible, 

 specimen trees, see to it that you do not neglect anjr 

 point that may tend to lessen their chances of success. 



Whatever the tree, it will always be noticed that 

 it is the young, sturdy wood that produces the medal 

 bloom, and gives to it the substance so essential for 

 its remaining a considerable time in perfection. As 

 all likely shoots develop, they should receive the lion's 

 share of the grower's attention, and such pests as 

 green fly, caterpillars, and the like should not be so 

 much as named in their presence. The surface of the 

 soil round the tree must Be kept well forked, and a 

 generous supply of water given to the tree every two 

 or three days. A little fertiliser, such as Clay's, may 

 be added as the buds begin to swell, but with newly 

 planted trees there should be enough in the well-pre- 

 pared border for every shoot grown in the first year. 



It is seldom that a shoot of the kind we require 

 throws up one bud only, except in certain varieties that 

 are naturally shy bloomers. This being the case, the 

 grower must learn the greatest of all arts in helping 

 to secure medal blooms — namely, that of disbudding. 

 With most varieties it is wisest to remove, as soon as 

 possible in the very earliest stages, all buds except the 

 centre one ; but in a few varieties which are rapid and 

 coarse growers, this operation should be done at an 

 earlier stage of development, to prevent too much sap 

 from being turned too rapidly into a channel unable to 

 receive and assimilate it. Experience will be our best 



