130 



THE BOOK OF THE ROSE 



CHAP. 



used for the tying in of buds was bast or Russian 

 matting, and then soft thick white cotton, called 

 "bonnet cotton," was much used by amateurs. But 

 the introduction of Raffia grass supplied a material 

 of just the right consistence, softness and pliability, 

 which has also the happy knack for the purpose, 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 dor- 

 mant buds. This root is often crooked, with fibres 

 proceeding from it, and the best available spot for bud- 

 ding should be chosen even if it is some little way 

 down. It is the most difficult 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 establishment 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 



