THE BOOK OP ROSES. 25 



temperature as can be borne by the naked hand. 

 In order to ensure success to the graft, all buds 

 should be removed from the stock ; and care 

 must be taken to prevent others forming. 



SHIELD OR SCUTCHEON GRAFTING. This 

 system of grafting consists of two methods ; 

 that of Vcety poussant, and that of I' ceil dormant. 

 The former is performed between May and 

 July, when the sap is in activity, and vegetates 

 in the course of a few days, for which reason it 

 is called the shooting bud : the latter is effected 

 in the month of August, and does not take 

 effect till the following spring. It is considered 

 safer and more durable than the shooting bud, 

 which is chiefly used for the rapid propagation 

 of new varieties. 



The important point in this operation is, to 

 select the moment when the sap is still active, 

 but on the point of falling. If the exact mo- 

 ment has been neglected, it will be easy to 

 revive it for a time by watering the plant regu- 

 larly for a few days. Under any circumstances, 

 indeed, this is a useful preparation for grafting 

 in dry soils and climates. 



To proceed to the operation, a healthy branch 

 must be selected ; from which remove with a 

 grafting knife a bud or gem, with a small 

 portion of the bark attached, twice as long as 

 broad, the exact size depending upon that of 

 the stock to be grafted. This bark should be 



