ROSE-FORCING IN AMERICA. 



469 



tions of the pros and cons of grafted versus own-root stock, so there are 

 questions of the treatment of the plants in the case. Following are two 

 sets of rules : — 



Rules of John H. Dunlop of Toronto : — 



First seven days keep the case closed tight ; but if the moisture is 

 too great, or if there is too much condensation, give a small crack of air. 

 It is important to shade from sun. 



Eighth day give \ in. air. 

 8th-12th day increase to 1 in. 

 12th-14th „ „ „ 2 „ 

 loth ,, ,, ,, 3 ,, 



16th day increase to 4 in. 

 17th „ „ „ 6 „ 

 18th ,, „ 8 ,, 

 19th „ give full air. 



At the expiration of three weeks, or as soon as the plants become 

 accustomed to the full air, they are taken from the case and thereafter 

 treated as all other young plants are. While in the case the temperature 

 should be 82 to 84 degrees Fahr. In watering when needed, dribble on 

 with a hose, taking care that the foliage is not wet. 



Rules of " Ribes," taken from the Florists' Beview : — 



" Success can be had under ordinary circumstances by keeping the 

 temperature of the frame at 60 to 64 degrees Fahr. for the first eight or ten 

 days, or until the majority of the scions are united. Some propagators use 

 a higher temperature with good success ; but for ' Brides ' and ' Brides- 

 maids ' this is sufficient. During this period it is a good plan to open up 

 the frames for a few minutes morning and evening to change the air ; it 

 does no harm unless left open too long. As soon as uniting has taken 

 place, air can be given gradually, and the temperature reduced until 

 it reaches 56 degrees. This will require about five days* when they can 

 be removed from the bench. While the plants are in the frames they 

 require very little water until the air is admitted." 



Verily there is the difference of the whole pendulum swing between 

 these. In this case no opinion has as yet been handed down. The 

 strong point in directions for planting grafted stock, namely, " to plant 

 so that the union between the stock and scion be without fail under 

 the soil, so that the scion may also strike root," seems almost to reduce 

 the question to absurdity and only to complicate matters needlessly. 

 It is a question for older heads than mine and wiser to settle. I have 

 recently heard the man who forces the best roses in America say 

 that for exhibition-flowers, own-root stock is better, but for a quantity 

 of saleable flowers grafted stock is more satisfactory. This man 

 believes it more profitable to have four or five first-grade Roses than 

 one special. The report of the foreman of a place near Chicago having 

 150,000 Rose plants is that "grafted 'Maids' have done better than 

 own-rooted stock, but some stock propagated in January and February 

 1900, carried practically dormant to the spring of 1901 in 3-inch pots, 

 has given remarkably good results when it had once started. The only 

 advantage of grafted plants is to get new blood and to effect a sort of 

 rejuvenation of the stock." Manetti is not affected by eelworm, and this 

 is another very strong reason for ths use of grafted stock by those growers 

 whose plants are much injured by that pest. 



May to July is the time for planting those houses which are to 



