106 THE SUMMER ROSE GARDEN. 



the side or back of the shoot (not by any means 

 at the front or in the bend), so that the tongue 

 does not close ; to make this certain a small piece 

 of glass or thin earthenware may be introduced to 

 keep it open. Much nicety is required to have the 

 tongue at the upper part of the shoot, so as not 

 to be in the part which forms the bow, as it is 

 of consequence that it should be within two inches 

 of the surface, so as to feel the effects of the 

 atmospheric heat ; unless this is attended to the 

 roots will not be emitted quickly ; the tongued 

 part must be placed in the centre of the compost, 

 and a moderate-sized stone put on the surface of 

 the ground to keep the layer in its place. The 

 first week in November the layers may be taken 

 from the parent plant, and either potted as re- 

 quired, or planted out where they are to remain. 

 Those shoots not long enough in July and 

 August may be layered in October, when the 

 layers are taken from the shoots, and, if any are 

 forgotten, February and March will be the most 

 favourable months for the operation : as a general 

 rule, July is the most proper season. 



PROPAGATION BY CUTTINGS. 



To procure early cuttings, so as to have plants 

 ready for planting out in June, strong plants 

 must be placed in the forcing-house in December ; 

 these will make vigorous shoots, which, when 



