38 ON THE CULTURE OF THB TREE ROSE. 



found upon the stocks when of several years' growth. It certainly 

 adds to the beauty of the tree, to have a straight free-growing 



stock. 



Havinc got up the stocks, on a day that is not frosty, I have 

 them brought as soon as convenient, that the tender roots may 

 not be damaged by exposure to a cool air. 



In planting them, I select a good soil about a foot deep, and 

 have a portion of well-rotted dung dug into it. The strongest 

 growing kinds of stocks I plant in one piece of ground, and the 

 less so in another. This is easily ascertained by observing what 

 strength the lateral shoots have previously grown, before removal. 

 The necessity of this selection is requisite, because if a very vigo- 

 rous growing kind were inserted into a small stock, the bud would 

 take all the support, and grow to a single shoot, or form a poor 

 head. 



Before planting, I have the stocks dressed, cutting clean away 

 all lateral shoots to the height at which I wish the stock to be kept, 

 and cutting off the head about a quarter of an inch above a bud, 

 in a sloping direction from the bud. Any damaged roots are 

 finished with clean cuts, either by a knife or fine toothed saw. 

 The top cut of the stock I always cover over with a mixture of 

 bees' wax and pitch, to keep out wet. 



The stocks are planted in rows at from two to three feet apart, 

 arranging the tallest in the back row, and the lower ones in the 

 front proportionably. A trench being made, the roots are regu- 

 larly disposed, and covered from four to six inches deep, treading 

 the soil gently upon the roots, and close up to the stem, to fasten 

 it properly. I then have a stake fixed so as to tie it to its place, 

 and prevent its being shaken with the wind. I have observed in 

 some nurseries a long stick, fixed horizontally at the height of 

 three feet, and to which the stocks were tied ; but this does not 

 answer so well as each having a separate stake to keep it in an 

 upright position, the wind driving those secured in the cross-bar 

 manner in a falling direction. 



Nothing more is required till the stocks push shoots in March, 

 or early in April. I shall, therefore, reserve the next remarks for 

 the March Number of the Cabinet. 



Rosa, 



Hertfordshire, Jan. 6th, 1836. 



