CULTURE OF THE ROSE. 29 



vigorous and robust habit, which, budded on strong Manet- 

 ti stocks, will often make shoots from six to seven feet in 

 length, and stout and robust in proportion. In the month 

 of February following, the stocks in which are live buds 

 should be all cut down to within six inches of the bud. 

 In May, the buds will begin to shoot vigorously : if there 

 are more shoots than one from each bud, they must be 

 removed, leaving only one, which in June should be sup- 

 ported with a slight stake, or the wind may displace it. 



"By the end of August, this shoot ought to be from five 

 to six feet in height, and is then in a proper state for 

 budding to form a pyramid. Some of the most free-grow- 

 ing and beautiful of the Hybrid Perpetual roses should 

 be selected, and budded on these stems in the following 

 manner : Commence about nine inches from the ground, 

 inserting one bud ; then on the opposite side of the stock, 

 and at the same distance from the lower bud, insert 

 another; and then at the same distance another and 

 another ; so that buds are on all sides of the tree up to 

 about five feet in height, which, in the aggregate, may 

 amount to nine buds. You will thus have formed the 

 foundation of a pyramid. I need scarcely add that the 

 shoots from the stock must be carefully removed during 

 the growing season, so as to throw all its strength into the 

 tuds. It will also be advisable to pinch in the three top- 

 most buds rather severely the first season, or they will, to 

 use a common expression, draw up the sap too rapidly, 



