THE BOOK OP ROSES. 31 



lope prematurely, in which case it would perish 

 in the course of the winter. 



From twenty-five days to six weeks after 

 grafting, according to the temperature and hu- 

 midity of the season, the ligatures should be 

 taken oflf and replaced with new ones, lest the 

 tightness stifle the shoot ; or, where time will 

 not admit of this, the worsted bound round 

 each should be slightly loosened. In the 

 month of March, the shoots of the stock are 

 cut away as the grafts begin to shoot; and 

 when there are several, they form a head in 

 the course of the first summer. But, in order 

 to favour the progress of the grafts, a single 

 shoot should be left of the stock, near and 

 above the scion, in order that, being more vi- 

 gorous, it may draw the sap towards the part 

 and keep up circulation. When this shoot has 

 attained an inch or two, and put forth a few 

 leaves, it should be pinched off at the point, to 

 force back the sap into the graft ; and, when 

 the scion itself becomes vigorous, the stock- 

 shoot may be altogether suppressed. 



Even for grafts of the active shoot kind, it is 

 desirable to leave a stock-shoot or two, as the 

 scion does not suffice for the absorption of all 

 the sap, and the plant runs some risk of perish- 

 ing. When the scion is valuable, it is desirable 

 to support it by a stick attached to the stem of 

 the stock, or to its prop ; for, during the first 



