THE GARDEN BOOK OF CALIFORNIA 



If one desires to grow his own stock, the best rose 

 cutting is one not over two inches long, of hardwood, and 

 with two buds, one at the top and one at the bottom. Just 

 a half leaf is left on so that evaporation may not be too 

 rapid. These cuttings should be set very closely in the 

 sand and buried to the top bud. The best hot-bed for 

 Southern California is one made as follows: 



First make an excavation three feet deep, providing for 

 drainage. Place in this excavation eighteen inches of 

 stable manure, fresh and with not too much straw. In 

 packing it in be sure to pack the corners firmly, otherwise 

 the soil will run down and spoil your heat. This should 

 be thoroughly wet down. On top of this put one to two 

 inches of garden loam, then a layer of five inches of sand, 

 clean but not coarse. Set your cuttings in this to the top 

 bud, then cover with felt or paper to hold in the moisture, 

 and give very little water, but give that little thoroughly 

 so as to reach every part of the bed. Place a glass sash 

 with the glass whitewashed, then a framework covered with 

 cloth, and you have a perfect hot-bed for rose or other 

 hardwood cuttings. 



[60] 



