viii PROPAGATION 151 



have fairly strong bamboos, of length according to 

 the growth expected of the Eose, driven firmly in 

 beside them, and securely tied to the small portion 

 of stem left of the cuttings, and to the root, if 

 possible, of the seedlings. Without this tie, if the 

 bamboo recives a blow or a push, the Eose shoot 

 fastened to it may be pulled out. The stake should 

 not be behind the stock, that is, on the opposite side 

 to the bud, but beside or in front of it, for if the 

 shoot is stiff and grows out at an angle there may be 

 a difficulty in fastening it securely till it has grown 

 some length. 



Extra stout bamboos should be employed for 

 standards, a foot or more, according to the variety 

 budded, higher than the topmost bud. The same 

 stake will thus support the stock and the growing 

 shoot of the Eose. As soon as the bud has fairly 

 started in the standard stocks, the small portion 

 of the wild shoot remaining may be cut away with 

 a clean sloping cut close to the bud. The reason for 

 leaving it is, that it may sometimes be found useful 

 in coaxing a bud to start, by letting a wild bud 

 push for an inch or two, thus drawing a flow of sap, 

 and if that does not answer stopping it back again. 



These dormant buds that will not begin to grow 

 are a great trial to the standard stock as well as to 

 the patience of the cultivator. The strong roots, 

 equal in balance to all the growth that was removed 

 in November, keep sending up full supplies of sap, 

 and the plant will endeavour to get rid of it by 

 making growth in every possible direction, above 

 ground and below, except sometimes through the 

 one tiny channel where it is desired. Such buds 

 will occasionally start after all, in June or July, or 



