FLOWER-GARDENING. 55 



cuttings nine inches from each other in the rows. Press the 

 ground around the stems, and rake it smooth. The after- 

 management of nursery-beds, made in spring, is to keep them 

 watered in dry weather, hoe them occasionally, and by autumn 

 the cuttings will be rooted. 



In cold climates, plantations made in autumn should be pro- 

 tected by a covering of leaves, straw, or litter, merely sufficient 

 to screen the plants from wind and the sun's rays in time of 

 freezing, the heat of the sun being more destructive to vegeta- 

 tion in winter than the cold weather. 



To increase flowering shrubs, rose bushes, or any other plants, 

 by layers, dig the ground about the plants to be operated on to 

 a good depth ; then with a sharp knife cut between two joints 

 half through the stalk or branch on the under part, turn the 

 edge of the knife upwards and make a slit, carrying it past the 

 first joint half way to the next above ; make a hollow in the 

 ground, and insert the cut part from one to three inches deep, 

 according to the nature of the plant operated on, keeping the 

 branch perpendicular, and the slit open. Each layer should be 

 pegged down with a hooked stick, made from small branches 

 of trees, to keep it in its proper position, as well as to prevent 

 the cut part from uniting where the roots form for the young 

 plants. 



BUDDING, GRAFTING, AND INARCHING. 



Budding, grafting, and inarching are often practised on 

 shrubs, with a view to perpetuate improved varieties. Bud- 

 ding may be performed on roses of different descriptions, as 

 the White Moss, Unique, Tuscany, and other fine varieties, 

 upon such wild kinds as are of a strong habit. The best time 

 for performing the operation is towards the end of July or 

 early in August, as the buds are then generally matured so 



