148 THE BOOK OF THE ROSE chap. 



when close to the damp earth, of gradually rotting, 

 so that at the end of a month or more the ties on 

 dwarf plants become loose of themselves. 



It is not therefore necessary to unfasten them : 

 but amateurs will generally like to inspect the result 

 of their operations, and where there has been a 

 failure the stock can generally be rebudded on the 

 other side, or lower down. The bud will be the 

 better for being exposed to the air, but, after it has 

 taken, accidental re-covering of earth will seldom do 

 any harm. 



Seedling briars are to be budded on the main root 

 immediately below the " collar," which is full of 

 dormant buds. This root is often crooked, with 

 fibres proceeding from it, and the best available 

 spot for budding should be chosen even if it 

 is some little way down. It is the most diffi- 

 cult stock to work, and, in case of failure, room can 

 seldom be found for a second attempt. 



Occasionally the buds will "grow out," as it is 

 termed, that is, start into growth and even give 

 good blooms the same season that they are budded. 

 There is no harm in this provided it has not been 

 forced by the shortening of the wild growth. On 

 the contrary, with hardy sorts it makes the estab- 

 lishment of the Rose-plant a matter of certainty. 

 The shoot should be secured to a stake and not 

 shortened, but pruned back very close in the 

 following spring. 



No further care will be required for the budded 

 stocks, beyond removing the ties at the expiration 

 of four weeks or a little less, till November. When 

 the sap ceases to rise even in the most fleshy shoots, 

 and the leaves begin to fall, all the wild growth 



