B 



ROSES 113 



growths of the previous summer. Disbudding usually applies to the 

 reduction of the number of flower-buds. Where show blooms are re- 

 quired remove the side buds and retain the centre one, which, if faulty, 

 must be removed, and the best of the side buds retained. Pinch off all new 

 growths as they spring out of the shoot that is crowned with the flower- 

 bud. Tea Roses require this if show blooms are desired, but for garden 

 decoration leave them alone. Plenty of growth means plenty of flowers. 

 Budding. This operation as well as many another in garden craft is 

 very simple when the art has 

 been acquired. The illustra- 

 tion represents a piece of 

 Rose growth. At the base 

 of each leaf-stalk is an eye, 

 or leaf-bud, which contains 

 the germ of a new plant. 

 To be successful in budding 

 this growth must be " ripe," 

 that is, it must have flowered, 

 or on the point of so doing. 

 The growths first produced 

 are the best to use for bud- 

 ding. They should be firm, 

 and the spines or thorns be 

 easily rubbed off. If the 

 latter are soft and juicy the 

 wood is not ripe enough, but 

 it is more important to see 

 that the stocks "run well," 

 that is, there should be an 

 abundance of sap in the plant. 

 In a very dry summer it is 

 sometimes necessary to water 

 the stocks a day or two be- 

 fore budding. Always bud 

 the standard briars first, for 

 they cease to grow long be- 

 fore the dwarf stocks. The 

 latter should be budded as close to the root as possible, especially if 

 the plants are wanted for potting up. Standard briars should be 

 budded in July, and the dwarf stocks during August. Insert the bud 

 on dwarf stocks on the west side if practicable. During the operation 

 of budding keep the shoots in a jar of water, previously cutting off the 

 leaves but retaining about half an inch of the leaf-stalk so as to obtain 

 a firm hold of the bud. Insert the knife in the shoot about one inch 

 above the bud as at B, Fig. i. 



Cut thinly under the bark and when past the bud rend it off. It 

 will then appear as C and D, Fig i. Hold the bud between the thumb 

 and finger of the left hand, and with the point of the knife lift up the 

 small slice of wood attached to the bark and jerk it out. As a rule it 



FIG. i. 



