ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE HOSE. 85 



may, however, be observed, that with common care scarcely a bud 

 cut of a score will miss. 



In preparing the bud, it is unnecessary to adhere, to the common 

 practice of removing the bit of wood at the back, which is taken 

 along with it from the scion. Omitting to do this saves much trouble, 

 and the unfailing success attending the mode (partially acted on by 

 others) has been established and confirmed to my satisfaction by the 

 results of repeated trials made by myself. Cloudy weather, or the 

 evening, should be chosen for inserting the buds ; an operation which 

 ought never to be attempted under a hot sun, or in cold east or north- 

 east winds. 



The injurious effects of the east wind at the time of budding or 



grafting being executed are acknowledged and noted by ancient as 



well as modern writers. Tusser, in his " Five. Hundred Points of 



Good Husbandry," (London, 1557,) says, 



" In March is good grafting, the skilful do know, 

 So long as the wind in the East do not blow." 



In ligatures, common cotton tape, rather more than the eighth of 

 an inch wide, answers better than bass, because it is ready without 

 trouble, is pleasanter to use, and more portable. It has also the re- 

 commendation of cheapness ; — a piece of it, containing eighteen yards, 

 may be had of any mercer for three halfpence. When the ligatures 

 appear to indent the stock, they should be removed or loosened after 

 about six weeks from the time they were put on ; but if no injury of 

 the sort is perceptible, they may be suffered to remain until the end of 

 February, or the beginning of March, and then taken off altogether. 



It requires some little skill to prune the Tree Rose properly, but 

 any person accustomed to the care of vines would readily comprehend 

 the mode of doing it. The same principle is applicable to both. 

 The chief art consists in retaining certain branches to form a regular 

 liead ; and in pruning those so as to effect that purpose, and, at the 

 same time, cause them to throw out supplies of young wood. In the 

 last week of February, or the first week of March, the shoots of the 

 preceding year, which are intended for producing flowers, should be 

 cut back, leaving only two eyes to each. 



The composition for covering wounds after pruning is made thus : 

 — quarter of a pound of black resin, quarter of a pound of black pitch, 

 and half an ounce of bees' wax, melted together, and just when it is 



