igo THE ROSE BOOK 



carrying out in the months of June, July, and August. 

 Small white roots usually form within a month or two. 

 The cuttings are then taken out of the water and potted 

 very carefuUy in small pots of hght, sandy soil. They 

 should be kept air-tight beneath a bell-glass for a week 

 or two until the roots have taken hold of the soil, when 

 they may be gradually hardened off. It is better to 

 keep them under glass — the protection of a frame is 

 sufficient during winter — and plant them out in March. 



Layering Roses 



This method of propagation is reliable, though rather 

 slow. It is adopted in nurseries with the less important 

 kinds, such as the Moss Roses, Hybrid Chinese, Gallicas, 

 etc. A plant from a layer is, of course, on its own roots, 

 and such is very desirable when it is possible to obtain 

 it, for every growth that develops is of the true rose ; 

 there can be no question of sucker growths from the 

 stock as in the case of budded roses. I think it was 

 Dean Hole who once related how someone took him to 

 see a fine plant of Mar^chal Niel growing on a wall and 

 to ask his opinion as to why it did not bloom. As soon 

 as Dean Hole saw the plant he said at once that it was 

 not Marechal Niel at all, but simply the " stock " upon 

 which it was budded. Now such a thing could not 

 happen from a " layered " plant or from one raised from 

 a cutting. 



Layering is best done in June, July, and August. 

 It will be readily understood that only pltints with 

 growths close to the ground can be layered conveniently. 



