THE SUMMER ROSE GARDEN. 109 



to make roots ; indeed, of some varieties, particu- 

 larly of Rosa alba, they will not by any means be 

 induced to form roots when layered, and are very 

 difficult even to be propagated by cuttings from 

 the forcing-house; but these become perfectly 

 docile and manageable when budded, in one season 

 only forming large and handsome plants. The ope- 

 ration of budding is difficult to describe. A longi- 

 tudinal cut, not so deep as to cut into the wood, 

 but merely through the bark, should be made in 

 the clear part of the shoot; thus /[", making the 

 diagonal cut at the top of the incision. I differ 

 from most of those who have given directions for 

 budding, as they make the incision thus, f : m y 

 practice has arisen from the frequent inconve- 

 nience sustained by shoots from standard stocks 

 being broken off by the wind, when the cut is 

 made at right angles : with the diagonal incision 

 an accident rarely happens : the bark on both sides 

 this incision must be opened with the flat handle 

 peculiar to the budding knife, and the bud in- 

 serted : the slice of bark taken off the shoot with 

 the bud in the centre should not be more than an 

 inch in length ; but half an inch is enough, the 

 incision being made of the same length : this is the 

 length used by experienced budders, who pride 

 themselves upon performing the operation in the 

 neatest manner possible. When the bud is in- 

 serted, cut off with your knife (which should be 

 very sharp) a piece from the upper part of the 



