ROSES 359 



dissecting microscope, a sharp knife and lots of patience. I have 

 found that seeds so treated sprout very quickly when sown in clean, 

 large grained pure sand. It is only the large achenes which lend 

 themselves to this treatment; the smaller ones, such as are found in 

 the heps of the Wichuraiana, are too small to be worked successfully, 

 and in this case there is little necessity for treatment of this descrip- 

 tion, as the seeds germinate very successfully after being stratified 

 out of doors during the Winter months. 



Propagation by Grafting 



There seems to be a difference of opinion as to the benefits to be 

 derived from this method of propagation, but each grower may 

 settle it for himself by giving it a trial. The stocks should be pre- 

 pared by potting in 3-inch pots; in thickness they should correspond 

 as near as possible with that of the cion — the cion should never be 

 of a greater diameter than that of the stock. Any of the common 

 methods of grafting will answer. The cion should be securely 

 fastened in position with raffia. As soon as tying is completed, it is 

 necessary that the plants be kept in a suitable atmosphere to pre- 

 serve the leaves of the cions so that the union may be hastened. 

 In grafting hybrids this is not so necessary, as they can be handled 

 •without leaves. A brisk heat under the plunging material will 

 quicken the action of the roots and effect a union safely without the 

 aid of a frame; but with Teas it is necessary to have them in an 

 almost air-tight structure. If only a few hundred are to be ex- 

 perimented with, part of a side bench may be set apart for the pur- 

 pose of receiving the grafted plants, and may be prepared as follows: 

 Have the front and back boards higher than the plants. Ordinary 

 sash laid lengthwise of the bench will suit all right, provided they 

 can be arranged so as to keep the atmosphere warm and humid. To 

 facilitate easy access to the plants the sash may be temporarily 

 hinged on to the back boards with pieces of leather, and the sash 

 tilted in front with a stick. Select a stretch of bench that can be 

 relied upon to supply a temperature of from 70 to 80 degrees inside 

 of the frame. First put a layer of sphagnum on the bench — one 

 inch closely packed will do. Over this put some ashes, or sand, on 

 which to stand the pots. The other conditions necessary for a quick 

 union will readily suggest themselves, air being given very gradually 

 after the union has taken place. When hardened off, growth will 

 be accelerated by a shift into larger pots. 



