64 ON GRAFTING AND STRIKING CUTTINGS OF THE ROSE. 



When the sap in the stocks has begun to flow, which will be seen on 

 removing a portion of the bark at the top, the scions may be inserted 

 by cutting a slit about one inch long in the bark of the stock, com- 

 mencing a few inches from the top, and then cutting horizontally 

 across the top of the first incision, open the bark with a budding- 

 knife, and pare on one side of the scion opposite the bud and about 

 one inch below, to the form of a wedge, leaving the bark on the oppo- 

 site side entire. After inserting the scion under the bark of the stock, 

 tie round with a little matting, and cover the part with a mixture of 

 pitch and bees-wax, and the work is complete. When the stocks are 

 large, two or more scions may be inserted. The upper part of the 

 scions, as well as the stocks, are left until the plants are established, 

 which is generally in a few weeks, if the operation is rightly per- 

 formed, when they are cut clean off, by allowing one or two inches of 

 wood to remain on the scion above, the bud, as well as a few inches 

 on the stock above the grafted part. Chance of success is almost 

 certain. To those who are interested in this art, and possessing the 

 means, they may find the practice of the above method a very in- 

 teresting employment during the severe weather of winter, besides 

 furnishing their greenhouse stages with this lovely flower the ensuing- 

 season. 



It may not be generally known that cuttings of Rosa odorata, and 

 its numerous varieties, are much readier rooted in water than by any 

 other method. When an increase of bushy plants are required, in 

 the spring take off cuttings, place six or eight in a pot of water, 

 having previously tied some paper over the top ; the paper cover must 

 have a proper number of small holes around the inside of the rim of 

 the pot for the ends of the cuttings to be passed through, and a larger 

 hole in the centre of the cover in order to supply water there. When 

 the cuttings are thus fixed, plunge the pot to the rim in a hot-bed 

 and shade from hot sun. In three weeks the cuttings may be planted 

 out on a slight hot-bed in sandy soil, at nine inches apart, watered 

 and shaded by means of whitewashing the glass at the under side of 

 the sashes, and admitting air throughout the clay. In autumn the 

 plants may be potted, and will form neat specimens for flowering the 

 following season. 



