158 flowers of garden and greenhouse 
early summer cuttings may be quickly rooted by keeping them moist and 
shaded on a gentle hot-bed, but taking care to give both air and sun if 
there is the slightest appearance of a tendency towards damping off. 
When rooted they should be potted singly, but grown on for a time in 
the same close temperature. When they have become well established 
as pot-plants they should be gradually allowed more air, until finally 
they can be put outside to harden before being wintered in the cold 
frame. They will also root readily during July and August if planted 
in a small frame placed against a wall with a northern aspect, so that 
they will be in continual shade; the soil should be sandy, and pressed 
firm, the cuttings put in close together, the whole well-watered and the 
lights kept close until there are clear signs of growth. Then they should 
be potted and treated as directed for spring cuttings. 
Suckers are not invariably produced by Roses. Where they occur 
we must be sure the Rose is on its own roots, or the suckers will be 
worthless as a means of propagating a plant we have admired on account 
of its beautiful flowers. Suckers from a standard or half-standard that 
has been grafted or budded will only give us plants of the Wild Briar 
upon which the good sort has been grafted. Where, however, a Rose¬ 
bush or tree has been grown from seed or cutting, the suckers will give 
us true duplicates. Suckers should be taken off" in autumn, and if they 
can be removed with a small root attached, so much the better. If there 
are roots, they may be planted out in the border at once; if not, they 
should be dibbled deeply in sandy soil in a cold frame, and left there 
through the winter. Where it is desired to get an increased stock by 
this means, and the species or variety produces suckers shyly, or alto¬ 
gether fails in this respect, it may sometimes be induced to push them 
forth by piling a cone of earth around the base of its stem. 
Divisions of the root may be effected in the case of small bushy 
plants on their own roots, but it is a method not commonly adopted. In 
following it care should be taken to get an equal quantity of root-fibres 
to each of the divided portions. These portions may then be dealt with 
as though they were newly-acquired plants, as instructed in a later page. 
Layering is another process not generally adopted in the case of 
Roses; yet it is a very good method for increasing those of dwarf habit 
or those with pendent branches. The most suitable period for the opera¬ 
tion is in June or July; and the plan most likely to succeed is that form 
of layering called tonguing. It will be remembered that we explained 
this method when dealing with Carnations (page 78). The selected branch 
is bent downwards gently until it touches the soil. The point of contact 
should be carefully noted and allowance made for the branch being slightly 
