EVERT WOMAN HER OWN FLOWER GARDENER. 55 



of the shoot, and pass it carefully upwards cutting about half through 

 the stem, and from an inch to two inches in length. Open the soil, 

 bend down the shoots and press it in ; peg it down with a hair pin or a 

 bit of wood, two or three inches beneath the soil, and coyer it firmly. 

 Each layer should be tied to a stake to prevent the wind from disturb- 

 ing the roots. 



June, July and August are the best months for layering. If the 

 weather is dry and hot, water frequently. Don't let the layers dry up ; 

 about October or November they will be large enough to take away. 

 Cut them off within two inches of the root, and transplant them wher- 

 ever they are desired. In the spring prune the stem down to three or 

 four eyes, and they will bloom finely. 



The Chinese method of layering is often more successful than any 

 other. 



At the end of July or beginning of August, they select a strong shoot 

 of the same year's growth, tongue it, as described above, and put in a 

 small stone to keep the slit open, and bind a handful of fresh green 

 moss around the tongue. This must be kept constantly wet, and the 

 tiny roots will shoot forth into the moss so rapidly, that in five or six 

 weeks the layer can be removed from the parent stalk. The roots can 

 be planted without disturbing the moss, and fine plants are thus pro- 

 cured. 



Budding roses is a very simple process, and an old razor can do duty 

 for a budding knife, and the handle of an old toothbrush, if scraped 

 down smooth, will answer for a wedge. 



The latter part of June to the middle of August, is the best season 

 for budding ; or, when the bark of the stalk can be easily raised from 

 the wood, this is a sure sign that one can bud with success. 



Take a smooth part of the stem at the height you desire, and on the 

 side least exposed to the sun ; with the razor make a horizontal cut 

 across the bark through to the wood, but not in to it ; from the center 

 of this cross-cut make one straight down the stem, an inch or more in 

 length ; these two cuts should be in the form of a T- 



Now prepare the bud, or shield, as it is termed. Slice it off from the 

 rose you desire to bud from at one cut, and the shoot must be cut off 

 close to the main stalk ; then the bud is sliced off, with a portion of 

 the old wood adhering to it; most of this should be picked out, but a 



