ON THE CULTURE OF ROSES. 
143 
30. With respect to the age of the stocks, little importance is to be attached, 
providing they have a good stem, free from knots. 
31. As soon as the stocks are got up, if the situation for planting is not 
ready, lay them in by the heels, as the roots suffer materially by being exposed to 
the air. 
32. When the stocks are planted, prune their tops to a suitable height, accord- 
ing to their strength, which, as the sizes will be various, so the height will be from 
one foot to six feet. Pruning may also be extended to the roots ; take off all 
superfluous and rotten lumps, and shorten those which are very long. 
33. When the stocks begin to grow, rub off all the buds except two or three at 
the top of the stem, as nicely placed as can be got. Should any one of these 
outstrip the others in growth, pinch off the end, when it has become about a foot 
long, to stop its progress, and give the weaker ones an opportunity of grow- 
ing also. 
34. Always, if possible, select a damp and cloudy day for inserting the buds. If 
this cannot be obtained, early in the morning, and late in the evening, are the 
properest times. 
35. In selecting buds, take them from healthy shoots, formed the previous year, 
in preference to the young spring shoots, the buds of which are not sufficiently 
advanced for the purpose. Choose only such as are plump, and perfectly formed, 
which are generally about the middle of the branch. 
36. The operation of inserting the buds is the same as stated, page 36, rule 
23 ; and should any fail, they may be replaced with others, making, of course, a 
fresh incision in the stock. 
37. In February prune the branches of the stocks to within one or not more 
than two eyes above each of the buds inserted. These buds above the inserted bud 
are intended to draw up nourishment into the branches, which the inserted buds 
at present are partly unable to do. But, as soon as they have made sufficient 
shoots, the leading buds may be taken away, and the following winter the trees 
may be removed, and planted where most convenient. 
38. The different kinds of China roses may be budded earlier than any other 
sorts, but on the same principle. The R. semperjlorens , Boursoult , noisette , fyc. , 
in many situations flower better, and grow stronger, than when supported by their 
own natural roots. 
39. Grafting. This is more troublesome, and seldom so effectual as budding, yet 
where the buds failed the previous summer, it is worth the trial to supply their 
places by this means. In Flanders, cleft-grafting is much practised ; the scion is 
either of the same diameter as the stock, or the cleft in the stock is made near 
enough to the side for the bark of the scion to come in contact with the bark of the 
stock on both sides : these are bound with ligatures of soft bass mat (first soaked 
in soap and water, and afterwards in a solution of alum, in order to render it 
impermeable to water) ; and then covered with a coat of clay, mixed with old 
slaked lime, made sufficiently thin to be applied with a brush. 
Grafting by approach, or inarching, is practised with the best success when 
large heads are wanted very speedily. So soon as the plants indicate the circulation 
