DOES THE GRAFTED ROSE PAY? 
H. S. TILLOTSON 
B OSES are grafted or budded either for the purpose of 
providing a vigorous root system for a variety which is 
weak on its own roots, or as a means of propagation for 
kinds that are difficult to root from cuttings. Grafting 
is also done where climatic or soil conditions are inhospitable for 
the desired Rose. As applied to Roses, “budding” is the method 
most in vogue, though the purpose is identical with that of 
grafting, and the term “grafted” is commonly taken as including 
also “ budded” Roses. No hard and fast rules can be made to 
cover the growing of Roses under all circumstances; but my in¬ 
tention is to present some of my own observations and conclu¬ 
sions regarding the desirability of grafted Roses in what may be 
called the average amateur garden, where planting for perman¬ 
ence is the object. 
The majority of the European Roses, shipped to the United 
States before the embargo against foreign plants was put into 
effect, were grafted on the Manetti or on one of the Briars, 
and large quantities of these were annually sold in a dormant 
state to eager amateurs, who would grow them with more or 
less success for a season or two. These plants were so large, 
and looked so healthy, that a heavy demand was created. 
Now, what was the common result when 
these dormant Roses were planted? If con¬ 
ditions were fairly favorable, and the plants 
were not neglected in the matter of water¬ 
ing, they would produce a few very good 
flowers the first season; and the next sum¬ 
mer, provided the intervening winter had 
not been too severe, there would again be 
a liberal display of blooms. The next sea¬ 
son, probably, a decline would be noted, 
and before long another purchase would be 
made in order to fill in gaps in the bed. 
American growers have done considera¬ 
ble experimenting in order to determine 
which stocks are most suitable to use in our 
various and variable climates; the rugosa, 
the Manetti, the Japanese multiflora and 
a number of our native wild Roses having 
been tried, and at the present time, prob¬ 
ably most of the American-grown grafted 
Roses are on Manetti or on Japanese multi¬ 
flora. 
Two handicaps that the grafted Rose is 
subject to are shown in the accompanying 
illustrations, drawn from actual specimens. 
Figure i shows a plant of the Hybrid-tea Rose Caroline Testout, 
the wild stock of which has died, making a fight for freedom by 
throwing out a few roots of its own, at the point where it is 
joined to the defunct root. As a Rose cutting doesn’t start its 
roots at the leaf axils, but grows them from a callus which forms 
directly at the end of cutting, it will be seen that in this case the 
roots can develop only around the edge. This plant, though 
undisturbed for six years, never attained more than fifteen inches 
in height, while a Radiance Rose, planted at the same time, as a 
cutting, and placed under the same conditions two feet away, 
has grown to a height of five feet. It flowers abundantly till 
late in fall, and shows no indication of decline. 
Figure 2 shows a Manetti root making a struggle for a separate 
existence and trying to evict its unwelcome, though more “ cul¬ 
tured,” partner by throwing out a shoot or sucker of its own. 
This sucker travelled underground for more than a foot from the 
root, before making its appearance at the surface. This sucker- 
ing tendency has given rise to the impression that a Rose may 
“ go back to the wild,” as though by some degenerative process 
of nature. As a matter of fact, what often occurs is this—the 
root, by sending out suckers, deprives the desired variety of 
sustenance, so that it eventually dies down 
to the root, leaving the stock and its suckers 
in full possession of the field. 
These suckers may easily be distinguished 
by comparing their leaves and thorns with 
those of the Hybrid-tea or Hybrid-perpetual 
Roses. The Manetti is readily identified by 
an abundance of thorns, and by its leaves, 
which are normally composed of seven leaf¬ 
lets and have a bluish-green color. 
It is at any rate worth while to give dif¬ 
ferent Roses a trial in your particular local¬ 
ity, both on own root and grafted. In the 
vicinity of Philadelphia, the Hybrid-tea 
Roses Radiance, Red Radiance, Ophelia, 
Prince de Bulgarie, and General superior 
Arnold Jan§en grow exceptionally well on 
their own roots. 
Remember that no rigid rule can be 
made to cover all conditions everywhere, 
and it is far better to plant grafted Roses 
even though they have to be replaced 
from time to time, than to deprive your 
garden of the presence of the Queen of 
Flowers. 
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS 
SOMETIMES 
A Manetti root (shown above at right) mak¬ 
ing a struggle for a separate existence by 
throwing out a shoot of its own which trav¬ 
eled underground for more than a foot be¬ 
fore striking the surface. On the left a 
plant of the Hybrid-Tea Rose, Caroline 
Testout (see page 43 for picture of bloom) 
attempting to prolong its life by throwing 
out a few roots of its own at the point 
where it joined the now defunct wild stock 
on which it was grafted 
SOME THINGS THE AMERICAN ROSE SOCIETY IS DOING FOR ROSES 
OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
Establishing Rose Test Gardens throughout the country in which 
all attainable varieties are given an equal chance so that gar¬ 
deners everywhere may select those best suited to their own 
particular locations. 
Establishing Rose Show Gardens for the display of the beauties 
of the flower in public squares, parks, etc, 
Stimulating the Production of Truly American Varieties for 
widespread culture in our climate which differs radically from 
that of Europe whence, until very recently, came 95 per cent, of 
the Roses in American commerce. 
Recording Rose Progress and Experience by publishing each year 
in “The American Rose Annual” a comprehensive and authori¬ 
tative digest of the latest findings of import to the Rose lover. 
Providing Free Service for the Rose Grower through an advisory 
committee of recognized authorities who cheerfully answer in 
detail inquiries sent in by any member of the Society. 
[Rose lovers everywhere may enjoy these and kindred benefits by joining the Society whose membership already extends 
over 48 states and 26 foreign countries .] 
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