CULTURE OF THE ROSE. 61 



much more liable to break in being bent ; and, in the next 

 place, the tongue is liable to re-unite with the cut part, and 

 thus defeat the operation. When all is finished, the ex- 

 tremity of jjhe shoot should stand out of the ground as 

 nearly upright as possible, and should by no means be cut 

 back, a mistaken practice in use with some gardeners. 



In a favorable season, most of the layers will be well 

 rooted before the frost sets in. If the weather is very dry, 

 there will be many failures. Instead of roots, a hard 

 cellular substance will form in a ball around the tongue. 

 In the dry summer of 1864, the rose-layers were thus 

 "clubbed" with lumps often as large as a hen's egg; but 

 cases like this are rare. 



In November, it is better in our severe climate to take 

 up the rooted layers, and keep them during winter in 

 a "cold frame ; " that is, a frame constructed like that of a 

 hot-bed, without the heat. Here they should be set closely 

 in light soil to the depth of at least six inches, and covered 

 with boards and matting ; or they may be potted in small 

 pots, and placed in a frame or cellar. 



Layers may be made in spring from wood of the last 

 season's growth; but laying the young wood during sum- 

 mer, as described above, is much to be preferred. 



