THE ROSE GARDEN 105 



of all flowers within the limits of a modest cottage 

 plot, at the cost of little more than a good garden- 

 ing paper for instruction's sake, and the personal 

 pains and trouble which it stimulates. 



And here I may set down a practical hint for 

 the sake of those who do not grudge such per- 

 sonal efforts. If it should be desired to have 

 roses on their own roots, an opportunity comes in 

 the summer which it is well not to lose. July is 

 one of the best months for putting in cuttings ; 

 and a sure and simple plan is as follows : Dig 

 out a fairly deep trench in a semi-shaded position, 

 and place in it first a layer of good stable manure, 

 next a layer of leaves, and finally a layer of road- 

 grit or very sandy sharp soil, and tread all down 

 evenly and well. Make your cuttings of about 

 six to eight eyes each, either with a heel or with 

 the ordinary straight cut below a bud, and insert 

 firmly with three eyes at least below the surface. 

 Give an occasional watering in dry weather and 

 a very large proportion ought to strike, and the 

 slight trouble will never be regretted, for these 

 instructions were impressed upon me by an expert 

 of long standing who had proved their value. 



It is very remarkable when we come to think of 

 it that the rose, which in its finer and more scented 

 forms is of Eastern origin, should have adapted 

 itself as kindly as it has to our variable and colder 

 climate. It speaks volumes, also, for the skill and 

 untiring patience of generations of cultivators, in 

 grafting and budding, in the wise selection of seed 

 parents, in the thousand and one details by which 

 acclimation is accomplished. For there is little 



