1891.] ESSAYS. 71 



inches in length, and all eyes should be left. They should be 

 inserted in the soil nearly their entire length, and care should l)e 

 taken that they are pressed very firmly in the ground leaving no 

 chance for water to get in and rot the shoot ; cover closely with 

 sashes for a few days. Before cold weather sets in, an inch 

 depth of leaves should be spread about the cuttings to prevent 

 the frost throwing them out of the ground. In the spring, they 

 should again be pressed firmly, as the frost has probably lifted 

 them to a certain extent. This plan of propagation is not at- 

 tended in this climate with much success ; it is not easy to find 

 the cuttings in just the best condition ; and the most successful 

 system is that adopted by the commercial florists, of growing 

 from what is called green wood cuttings, as first described. 



The best plan of propagation for an amateur if he has a few 

 })Umts in a healthy, growing condition, and desires to increase 

 them himself is by layering. The process is easy. First strip- 

 ping the leaves from a portion of the stem to be layered, make 

 a cut on the upper side about one inch in length, then twisting it 

 slightly so as to bring the tip end of the stem upright, or nearly 

 so, and the tongue made by the cut pointing downward, draw 

 the soil away so as to allow the burying of the shoot about 

 three inches, pegging it down with a forked stick to hold secure- 

 ly, draw the soil about it, and press firmly. With most varie- 

 ties this tongue will soon callous over, and roots will be produced 

 from it. The work should be done from the middle of July to 

 about September 1st. July is the best month, as it gives a 

 longer season of growth . 



Planting. 



There is a difference of opinion in regard to the best season 

 for planting. If we could control our seasons, autumn would 

 be the best time, as the plant becomes thoroughly settled in the 

 ground, and consequently starts with the season in the spring. 

 The work should be deferred as late as possible, so that the 

 wood of the plant will become thoroughly ripened, giving a 

 chance for the sap to return to the root ; this is particularly im- 

 portant for the dark roses of the Jacqueminot type, as they are 

 very late in maturing their wood. This is one great difficulty 



