1 68 THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Cuttings of partly ripened growth (Fig. 79), especially when obtained from Teas 

 and K'oisettes growing under glass, are readily struck at any season. Take off a piece 

 with a heel, a cutting three inches long is sufficient ; do not remove more than the 

 bottom leaf as indicated, and then insert to the cross mark in a sandy compost, sprinkle 

 well and keep them close in a case or box in the greenhouse. If cuttings are scarce, 

 those made with one joint within the soil and one leaf or bud above it suffice ; or in 

 other words, severing the shoot at the cross line in Fig. 79, removing the lower leaf, 

 and inserting to the leaf above. They must be kept from direct sunshine, and quite 

 close to prevent the leaves flagging until roots form, after which gradually expose, 

 then pot, and grow the young plants in the ordinary way. Plants so raised flower 

 freely, but we seldom get such fine blooms as from those upon foster roots of greater 



vigour. 



Budding. — This is the chief method of 

 propagation upon stocks, especially in the 

 open ground. The same method is employed 

 with all classes and upon all stocks. The seed- 

 ling briar makes an excellent stock, and usually 

 gives deeper colour to the dark red roses. A 

 two-year-old seedling briar with a circumference 

 of half-an-inch at the collar is quite large enough 

 Fig. 79. EosE (SumiEE) Cutting. to plant out for budding upou the same year. 



They may be planted as recommended for the 

 rooted cuttings and rapidly swell sufficiently to accommodate the rose-buds when 

 ready. Shallow planting of dwarf stocks is advised so as to admit of the rose-bud 

 being worked close upon the roots ; thus avoiding so many suckers and the 

 necessity for such deep planting as was the case when stocks were raised in the 

 cutting beds. 



Budding is a very simple operation in itself, but not so easy to describe. A dwarf 

 stock is budded in exactly the same way as our illustration of a standard briar, the 

 bud being worked close down upon the crown of the roots instead of well up to the 

 main stem of the standard. The stocks should be partly ripe, but still with sufficient 

 flow of sap to allow the bark to lift easily and without injury. The condition of the 

 rose growth from which the bud is to be obtained should be similar. As a rule, when 

 the prickles will snap off easily, both stock and rose growth are in the right stage. 



