114 



PARSONS OX THE ROSE. 



later in coming on. This mode of open propagation an- 

 swers very well for some of the smooth-wooded roses of 

 the more robust growing varieties, like the Boursault and 

 Rubifolia ; but for the delicate Bengals, the best mode is 

 pot propagation. For this purpose, small pots can be 

 used, filled with equal parts of mould and sand, or peat 

 and sand. About the middle of autumn, cuttings of the 

 same season's growth 

 are taken off with two 

 to four buds, cutting 

 off one or two of the 

 lower leaves, and cutting 

 off the wood smooth 

 and square close to 

 the eye, as in figure 8. 

 These cuttings can be 

 inserted in the pot, leav- 

 ing one eye above the 

 surface. It should then 

 be slightly watered to 

 settle the soil firmly 

 around the cutfengs, and 

 then placed in a cold Fig. 8.-a rose cutting. 



frame, or on the floor of a vinery, in which no fire is 

 kept during winter. Early in the spring the pot should 

 be placed in a house with a moderate temperature, kept 

 perfectly close, and sprinkled every morning with water 

 a little tepid. Now, as well as during the autumn, they 

 should be shaded from the too bright glare of the sun. 

 In about a fortnight, and after they have formed a third 

 set of leaves and good roots, a little air can be given 

 them ; and after being thus hardened for a week, they can 

 be repotted into larger pots. In order to ascertain when 

 they are sufficiently rooted, the ball of earth can be taken 

 out of the pot, by striking its inverted edge lightly against 

 some body, at the same time sustaining the ball of earth 



