APPENDIX. 287 



wise loosen the hold which the tree has upon the soil, and which 

 sometimes decapitate the tree itself. These cuttings will strike, 

 many of them, if put in, about 6 inches in length and closely, in 

 some sheltered place — by a wall, for example — looking north or 

 west, and protected by a hand-glass ; or they will strike, some of 

 them, without protection overhead, if planted in a like situation, 

 but deeper in the ground, 7 or 8 inches, with two or three " eyes " 

 above the soil. Such of these cuttings as have made roots should 

 be taken up and potted in the ensuing spring — /. <?., in April — 

 should be kept warm under glass for a month or six weeks, 

 hardened by the gradual admission of air, and planted out towards 

 the end of May. 



November 



is the best month for transplanting. Ah, how it cheers the 

 Rosarian's heart amid those dreary days, to welcome that package 

 from the nurseries, long and heavy, so cleanly swathed in the new 

 Russian mat, so closely sewn with the thick white cord ! His eyes 

 glisten, like the schoolboy's when the hamper comes from home, 

 and hardly, though he has read the story of Waste 7iot, Want not, 

 can he keep his knife from the string. Let him plant his Rose- 

 trees as soon as may be after their arrival ; but if they reach him, 

 unhappily, during frost or heavy rains, let him " lay them in," as it 

 is termed, covering their roots well with soil and their heads with 

 matting, and so wait the good time coming. When planted they 

 must not be set too deeply in the soil — about 3 inches will suffice 

 — but must be secured (I am presuming that the trees are chiefly 

 low standards, according to advice given) to stakes, firmly fixed in 

 the ground beside them. Some gardeners plant deeply, to save, I 



