170 The Rose Garden. 



be potted off singly into small or large 6o-pots, according to their strength. Place 

 them in bottom-heat again for a few days, and they become established, when they 

 may be removed to a cold frame, admitting air gradually to harden them. " But," 

 says the amateur, " is bottom-heat indispensable ? I have no bottom-heat, or, at least, 

 I have but little, and to that a variety of plants lays claim. There are my Azaleas, 

 my Geraniums, my Fuchsias, my Cinerarias, they require all the room of this kind 

 that I have. Surely Roses, hardy plants as they are, will strike without bottom- 

 heat." We answer, " They will." We do not say that bottom-heat is indispensable 

 but advantageous ; they may be kept in the cold till rooted, or, indeed, throughout 

 the year, but we hesitate to recommend the adoption of this plan unless bottom-heat 

 can be included in it. 



But there is another season at which propagation may be carried on with success, 

 namely, Autumn, just before the fall of the leaf. In June the Autumnals only need 



Fig 54- A CUTTING. 



be cared for ; now, both the Summer and Autumn kinds demand attention. Among 

 the latter the Bourbon, Noisette, Chinese, and Tea-scented should be placed in rows 

 under a hand-glass, or round pots in a closed frame, for but few of these will do well 

 planted as cuttings in the open ground. The hand-glass should be lifted off 

 occasionally on a bright day during Winter, to dry the dampness of the soil, when 

 any decayed leaves or cuttings may be removed. Water, under these circumstances, 

 is rarely required till Spring, though if worms be troublesome in raising the earth a 

 little lime-water may be given, supposing the soil to be well drained, which is a point 

 of primary importance. These cuttings will not be well rooted till Autumn, when 

 they may be taken up and potted, and placed in a frame for a few days, kept close, 

 shaded, and syringed. Now, for what purpose are the plants required? Are they 

 wanted for pot-culture? Or is planting-out the end in view? If the former, treat 

 them as recommended in the Chapter "On the Cultivation of Roses in Pots" 

 (Chapter X.) ; if the latter, plant them out early in Autumn. 



Cuttings of the hardy kinds, such as the Hybrids of the Chinese and Bourbon, the 



