NATIONAL ROSE CONFERENCE. 



203 



to a depth of about 18 inches. The position of the ground was 

 along a south wall, and, as may be seen by the specimens pro- 

 duced, they are well adapted to this method of cultivation, have 

 become strong and vigorous, and sent out numerous roots. This is 

 therefore a subject meriting close investigation and careful study." 



After hearing these statements, I myself made experiments, 

 and I may be permitted to give the following extracts from a report 

 which I published in February 1887 in the Lyon Horticole : — 

 " Why for budding purposes abandon the briar, the value of the 

 seedlings of which is well known, and use in preference a foreign 

 species, the seeds of which are scarce, and of which very few 

 growers have any intimate knowledge '? We will answer these 

 two questions. 



" Firstly. The varieties of roses budded on B. polyantha come 

 into growth earlier and are more easily forced than those budded 

 on the briar. 



" Secondly. The roots of B. polyantha are much branched, 

 tufted, but little inclined to be tap-rooted ; the plants are there- 

 fore very suitable for pot-cultivation ; strong plants can be raised 

 in comparatively small pots. This is more difficult with varieties 

 budded on the briar. 



<4 Thirdly. B. polyantha does not throw up suckers. 



" Fourthly. The seeds of B. polyantha germinate the year 

 they are sown, and stratification is not a necessary preliminary ; 

 seeds sown in February germinate in March ; sown in March, 

 they germinate in April. 



"We may add that some experienced rose-growers have budded 

 in September plants of B. polyantha sown the same year. This 

 may be easily done with care, but space here will not allow me 

 to enter into details ; suffice it to say that B. polyantha should 

 be considered as an ordinary briar, and treated in the same way. 



" The only important objection which can be raised against the 

 use of this species, as a stock for budding, is that the seedlings 

 are difficult to procure. This objection is at present rather a 

 serious one, but as the rose in question is very fertile, in a few 

 years the seeds will be offered for sale at very low prices." 



Before concluding, I may be allowed still another quotation. 

 This records the success of one of the most able rose-growers 

 of our city, who grows a great number of roses budded on 

 B. polyantha, specially destined for forcing purposes. " In 1886 



