242 THE ROSE BOOK 



prepared. I would suggest an arrangement between 

 amateurs for the purchase of the ingredients, which are 

 far cheaper in bulk. 



All stocks budded last summer should now be cut 

 back. The dwarf stocks are cut to within an inch of 

 the inserted buds ; standard stocks to within three or four 

 inches. Bamboo canes are placed against the dwarf 

 stocks to mark their location, and the soil should be 

 lightly dug over. The digging is done now to facilitate 

 hoeing later on. If the soil is very weedy, rather deeper 

 digging is necessary. On heavy soil a flat-pronged fork 

 is the best tool for the work. Standard briers budded 

 last summer should have a stave, i.e. a split bamboo 

 cane, about two feet long, tied to the upper part of the 

 brier stem. Support is then at hand for the little shoot 

 when it begins to grow, otherwise a gale might blow it 

 out. 



Stocks may be planted now ; that is to say, dwarf 

 stocks. Standard briers should have been planted in 

 November, but if this was not done they may be put 

 in at once. Dwarf stocks such as the seedling or cut- 

 ting briers, Manetti and Polyantha, are planted in rows 

 two to three feet apart, the plants being about ten 

 inches apart in the row. Plant in well-dug soil, or the 

 soil may be dug and planted at the same time. If the 

 soil was dug in advance it is not wise to plant until the 

 weather is dry. We usually try to hold a piece of land 

 in reserve for digging in bad weather ; then by plant- 

 ing at the same time, one does not need to tread on the 

 newly dug soil. 



