278 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



when properly pruned, are larger and much more double than 

 when the bushes are suffered to grow at random. 



In pruning climbing Roses, the operation must be different, as 

 it is necessary to retain the whole length of the most vigorous 

 shoots, cutting out all the old wood that will not be likely to 

 produce fine flowers, and pruning down the lateral branches to 

 one eye. The manner of pruning must, in a measure, depend 

 upon the variety of the Rose, and more particularly upon the 

 style in which it is to be trained. This must be left to the 

 ingenuity and taste of the cultivator ; and whether it is to be 

 trained to a trellis, over an arch, pillar, or in whatever shape 

 it is wanted, the proper way will generally suggest itself. 



Propagation. The Rose is propagated in various ways. 

 Some varieties succeed well by cuttings, as the China and 

 many of the tender Roses ; but, with most of the hardy kinds, 

 this is not often resorted to except by skilful gardeners. 



By Layers. All the summer-blooming Roses may be prop- 

 agated in this way. It can be performed in midsummer, and 

 for several weeks afterwards. Young shoots, at least one foot 

 long and well matured, should be selected for this purpose. 

 The mode of operation is the same as in all shrubby plants. 

 The soil should be well dug about the plant, and increased by 

 a little fresh loam, well enriched with rotten manure, raised 

 about it, so as to form a little bed. Proceed, then, with the 

 usual process of layering, "by making a slit with a sharp knife 

 just below a bud, making a slanting cut, upwards and length- 

 wise, about half through the branch, forming a tongue from one 

 to two inches long, on the back part of the shoot, right opposite 

 the bud. A chip, or some of the soil, can be placed in the 

 slit to prevent it from closing, and the shoot can then be care- 

 fully laid and pegged down at a point some two or three inches 

 below the cut, keeping, at the same time, the top of the shoot 

 some three or four inches out of the ground, and making it fast 

 to a small stake to keep it upright." The prepared shoot 

 should be buried about three or four inches deep. Great care 

 will be necessary to prevent the branch from injury. The 



