120 PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE. 



of more substance and depth of coloring will be produced 

 than in that of a light or sandy character. 



The propagation of the Rose is a matter of much 

 interest, not only to the professional florist but to the 

 amateur who wishes to increase his plants. The method 

 in use by florists in this country is usually by cuttings, 

 directions for which will be found among the general in- 

 structions given under the head of " Propagation of Plants 

 by Cuttings." 



Roses from ripened or hard wood may be propagated, 

 the operation being performed at any time from October 

 to January. The cuttings are usually made with three or 

 four eyes, just after the wood is ripened enough to show 

 the development of the buds at the axil of the leaf. The 

 method we have most successfully practiced is to place 

 cuttings in cold frames, such as are formed on the surface 

 of the ground, and are used for wintering cabbage, and 

 cauliflower, planting the cuttings exactly as we would do 

 those plants, and subjecting them to the same winter treat- 

 ment of airing, yet keeping them as free from severe 

 freezing as can be done during winter. Rose cuttings 

 placed in such frames about the end of October will be 

 rooted and fit to pot in March. Those not having the 

 convenience of frames may do it equally well with the 

 protection of the ordinary garden hand glass. In either 

 case it is necessary that the soil be thoroughly drained so 

 that no water stand on it in winter. If the soil in which 

 they are placed is not naturally sandy, it had better be 

 prepared in about equal proportions of sand, leaf mould, 

 and loam, well mixed together. The cuttings should be 

 inserted quite thickly, say from l \ , to 1 inch apart, and 

 at distances of about 3 inches between the rows. This 

 soace is sufficient to allow the soil to be firmly pressed 

 about the cuttings, as the process of placing them goes 

 on. One thorough watering, when put in to settle the soil 

 closely around them, will usually be all that is necessary 



