434 TO FBOrAGATE ROSE SLIPS. 



at first — the great blunder of beginners. One or two plants will be cnougli 

 to start with ; another winter one can " launch out." But it is well always 

 to remember that a few specimens, even one in fact, in perfect health, and 

 full of bloom, is far more valuable than many in an unthrifty condition. 



A few Avords in relation to roses which are to remain in the open ground 

 over winter. It is an excellent plan to head back the more tender varieties 

 severely — say within nine or ten inches of the ground — and then cover 

 with coarse manure and litter from the stables. But don't kill with kind- 

 ness; don't give a coat of manure that would cover the garden, and exjiect 

 the plant to survive. This is almost certain death. The object is not to 

 keep the plant warm, but to preserve it cool and free from the fluctuating 

 temperature of our trying winter. Sudden freezing and thawing is what 

 does the mischief. 



The hardier kinds need only a little protection from the sun, such as is 

 afforded by a few bows of evergreens or rough weeds ; but it is a mistake 

 to tie them tight. A 2)articular friend once put his up nicely in corn fod- 

 der, thus affording an excellent lodgment for mice — a courtesy which these 

 rodents, with sharp ingratitude, reciprocated by eating up bushes, protec- 

 tion and all. in every case head well back, trimming out the old wood, and 

 the nearer the ground the better ; then give each plant a good fork-full of 

 manure, which answers a double jiurpose. 



TO PROPAGATE ROSE SLIPS. 



1. There are several methods of propagating rose-cuttings, but one of 

 the simplest is to strike them in a saucer of sand. The wood to be used 

 must be of the present season's growth ; the small shoots are preferable. 

 These should be cut into lengths of about four inches (the exact size is im- 

 material), having three or four eyes or dormant buds. There should be an 

 eye at the bottom of the cutting, as it is at that point the roots are emitted, 

 and not between the eyes. Procure some clean brown sand, such as is used 

 by builders, put it in a saucer, wet it thoroughly, so that it shall be in the 

 condition of mud, then place the cuttings in side by side, having previously 

 cut off their leaves. Place the saucer in the sun and mind that it must have 

 water several times daily, when the sun is hot. The cutting will form what 

 is called a "callous" at the bottom, from which the roots are emitted. 

 Three or four weeks are generally necessary to get the cuttings well rooted, 

 after which they may be carefully pulled from the soft sand (and bo sure 

 that it is soft, as the roots are very brittle), putting them in small pots of 

 light, rich soil, and keeping them in a sunny place. Never let them suffer 

 for want of moisture. If the pots can be sunk in the ground, so much the 

 better. When the pot is filled with roots the young plant should bo shifted 

 to a pot a size larger. All varieties of roses do not root with equal readi- 

 ness — the tea or cverblooming roses being the easiest, and the mosses the 



