74 CULTURE OF THE ROSE. 



say, that, for the amateur, nine roses out of ten are better 

 on their own roots, while there are a few which can only 

 be grown successfully, budded on a good stock. 



All the evil that can be spoken of budded roses is 

 doubly true of grafted roses ; while the advantages which 

 the former can claim are possessed in a less degree by the 

 latter. The reason is, simply, that, in the case of the bud- 

 ded rose, the junction between the stock and foreign variety 

 is commonly more perfect than in the case of the grafted 

 rose. Indeed, it would not be worth while to graft roses 

 at all, were it not for the fact that grafting can be practised 

 at times when budding is impossible. This is because it is 

 indispensable, in budding, that the sap of the stock should 

 be in full motion ; whereas, in grafting, it may be at rest. 



There are innumerable modes of grafting ; but, for the 

 rose, the simplest form of what is called (l whip-graftiug " 

 is perhaps the best. In the end of winter, or at the begin- 

 ning of spring, take young well-rooted plants of the Ma- 

 netti stock, having stems not much larger than a quill. 

 Beginning very near the root, shave off with a sharp 

 knife a slip of the bark, with a little of the wood, to the 



