PROPAGATION OF ORXAMEXTAL SHRUBS. 51 



spring, is to keejD them watered in diy weather, hoe thein 

 occasionally, and by autumn the plants will be rooted. 



In cold climates, plantations made in autumn should be 

 protected by a covering of leaves, straw, or litter, merely 

 sufficient to screen the plants from wind and the sun's rays 

 in time of freezing, the heat of the sun being more destruc- 

 tive to vegetation in winter than the cold weather. 



To increase flowering shrubs, rose bushes, or anv other 

 plants, by layers, dig the ground about the plants to be ope- 

 rated on to a good depth ; then \^'ith a shai-p knife cut be- 

 tween two joints half through the stalk or branch on the 

 under part, turn the edge of the knife upward and make a 

 slit, carrying it past the first joint half way to the next 

 above ; malve a hollow in the ground, and insert the cut part 

 from one to three inches deep, according to the nature of 

 the plant operated on, keeping the branch perpendicular, 

 and the slit open. Each layer should be pegged down with 

 a booked stick, made from small branches of trees, to keep 

 it in its proper position, as well as to prevent the' cut part 

 from uniting Avhence the roots form for the young plants. 



Budding, grafting, and inarching are often practised on 

 shrubs, with a view to perpetuate improved varieties. Bud- 

 ding may be performed on roses of different descriptions, as 

 the AMiite Moss, Unique, Tuscany, and other fine varieties, 

 upon such ^^^ld kinds as are of a strong habit. The best 

 time for performing the operation is toward the end of July 

 or early in August, as the buds are then generallv matured 

 so that the bark parts freely from the wood, which is essen- 

 tial to the successful accomplishment of the business. 



Grafting is generally perfonned in the spring. There are 

 many methods practised on trees, as cleft ^-aftin?, whip 

 grafting, saddle grafting, side grafting, root grafting,~in arch- 

 ing or grafting by approach, &:c., which methods are all fully 

 explained under the head of ''Budding and Grafting," in 

 the fruit department. I shall, however, here present a^shoit 

 view of the mode best adapted for shrubs. 



