ON DIFFERENT WAYS OF STRIKING ROSES. 



519 



This method of propagation is much to be recommended ; it is not costly, and is one 

 of the quickest. 



Cuttings of Shiraz and Kasanlik Eoses. — Monsieur J. B\ Grossen at 

 Simferopol in the Crimea has explained the method used in the East 

 for propagating the Eoses of Shiraz and Kasanlik, which are largely 

 cultivated for the attar of Eoses. The following is the way in which 

 our Eastern friends proceed : — 



The propagation of Roses in the East is very simple. In the autumn, after 

 having worked the soil to a depth of 50 centimetres, small trenches are made 10 

 centimetres deep, and 1| metre apart ; in these are laid Rose branches 40 to 50 

 centimetres long, which are entirely covered with earth. In the spring each eye or 

 bud develops, and at the end of three or four years each line forms a hedge. During 

 the summer they only require a small amount of attention in removing weeds ; the 

 Roses have no need whatever of pruning. 



Cuttings in full Stmshine. — The following method is, in my opinion, of 

 very little practical value, for such frequent waterings are necessary that 

 it requires a workman to be always at work, and unless one has thousands 

 of cuttings the game is not worth the candle : — 



Cuttings prepared in the usual manner are made about August 15 in frames in 

 the full sunshine. The frames are kept quite closely shut. Do not give them any 

 air, and above all do not shade them, but water frequently, and more or less according 

 to the strength of the sun heat. On hot and clear days the waterings should be 

 repeated about every quarter of an hour or so. You may work without heat, but it 

 is better to make a slight hotbed, about thirty centimetres deep, either of leaves or 

 rotting manure. On top of this bed should be spread, for good drainage, fagots or, 

 better still, rubble or leaf mould. The whole being evenly pressed down, so as only 

 to leave a space of "25 metre under the glass, the soil prepared for the cutting is laid 

 on to the thickness of "10 metre, and is composed of two-thirds fine river-sand and 

 one-third leaf mould mixed with earth. The soil is trodden down and levelled, and 

 then covered with -05 metre of washed river-sand, in which the cuttings are planted. 



Striking from Roots of Roses. — We know that the roots of certain 

 kinds of trees and shrubs are capable of producing shoots which can be 

 used for purposes of propagation : the Elm, Acacia, Ailantus, for 

 instance. Sometimes Eoses can be increased in the same way. I have 

 obtained from the roots of old stocks of the Bourbon section very good 

 cuttings by working in the following manner : — Choose stocks of three, 

 four, or five years old (it must, of course, be understood that they must 

 be on own-root stocks), and in the month of October cut them down 

 level with the ground. From all the suitable wood you can make 

 cuttings under bell-glasses in a north aspect. In the spring, about the 

 first fortnight in March, carefully dig up the stumps of the cut-down 

 Eoses and cut their roots into lengths of five centimetres. Do not make 

 use of any roots of less than four millimetres in diameter. When this 

 operation is finished prepare against a north wall a frame into which put 

 a bed about ten centimetres thick of fine river-sand : this bed should rest 

 upon soil previously dug and well manured. Spread the lengths o£ root 

 on the sand-bed, taking care to mingle the large with the small. When the 

 roots are arranged they are covered with another layer of sand about four 

 centimetres thick and watered freely for the first time ; then a light is 

 placed on the frame, so that heavy rains may not flood the roots thus 



