182 CULTURE OF THE TREE ROSE. 



If it happens that there is cloudy day to perform the operation of 

 budding in, take advantage of it; if not, to bud towards the close of 

 the afternoon will be the best part of a sunny day. I have budded 

 ten kinds of roses upon one stock, all of which succeeded and have 

 bloomed most singularly beautiful. Care was taken to have those 

 kinds which were of a similar habit in growth, for a vigorous growing 

 kind and a weakly one are unsuited together ; the former would by 

 its luxuriant growth prevent the other for having due support, and 

 eventually would, in a few years, perish. 



In selecting a bud for insertion, choose a strong and healthy shoot, 

 cut away that part which has pushed since June, and from it select a 

 bud for the desired purpose. A plump one should be taken, that is; 

 it should be full, round, quite closed, (i. e. not pushed). Such a 

 bud may generally be had about midway up the shoot, the lower 

 ones being more dormant, and the upper ones scarcely perfected 

 enough. The bud is situated in the axillae of the leaf. 



The shoot having been cut from the plant, take it in the left hand, 

 holding the thickest part inwards, then with a very sharp knife, begin 

 to enter the shoot about three quarters of an inch above the bud, cut- 

 ting downwards about half way through the shoot, and bring out the 

 knife about the same distance below the bud, in which case the bud 

 is contained in the portion cut off, *' which is termed a shield," and 

 is formed as a segment of a circle. Then take the shield betwixt the 

 finger and thumb holding the bud downwards, that is, in a different 

 form to that it had grown in, press the shield so as to be held firmly, 

 then gently twist the upper end of the shield, " which is nearest 

 you," and this will loosen the wood from the shield. The wood 

 must be taken out with the right hand, whilst the shield is held by 

 the left. The separation of the wood from the shield must always 

 begin at the upper end as it had grown. It will then be necessary 

 to see that no vacuum be in the inside of the bud, if there be, the 

 root of it is gone, audit will not grow, though the bark might unite, 

 no shoot could be produced. If there be no hollow inside the bud, 

 it is fit for use. If the shield does not separate freely from the wood, 

 the shoot might be soaked for an hour, and it would assist the shield 

 and wood to separate more readily. The edges of the bark of the 

 shield must be quite smooth and clean, on no account to be left 

 jagged. The leaf, in the axilla of which is the bud, must have one 

 half of it cut away, for the evaporation of the whole would much 

 weaken the bud, and rather prevent its growth. The shield having 

 been thus prepared, lay it in water till the incision is ready for its 

 reception. 



