64 CULTURE OF THE ROSE. 



and the remainder with a mixture of loam, leaf-mould, and 

 sharp sand. Now place them in a frame on the shady 

 side of a hedge or fence, water them to settle the soil, and 

 cover them closely with glass. Sprinkle them lightly 

 every morning and night ; and, when moisture gathers on 

 the inner surface of the glass, turn it over, placing the dry 

 side inward. If mould or decay attacks the cuttings, 

 wedge up the glass a little to give them air. In a week 

 or two, they will form a callus ; after which they may be 

 removed to a gentle hot-bed, kept moderately close, and 

 shaded from the direct sun. Here they will quickly strike 

 root, and may be potted off singly into small pots. 



Another mode of propagation, and a favorite one with 

 nursery-men, is practised early in the spring. In this case, 

 the cuttings are made from forced roses, or roses grown on 

 greenhouse rafters. Some propagators prefer the wood 

 in a very soft state, cutting it even before the flowers are 

 expanded. The cuttings may be placed in pots as in the 

 former case, or in shallow boxes or earthen pans thor- 

 oughly drained with broken crocks. The soil should be 

 shallow enough to allow the heel of the cutting to touch 

 the crocks. They are to be placed at once on a moderate 

 bottom-heat, covered closely with glass, and shaded from 

 the direct rays of the noontide sun. Their subsequent 



