734 



A TEXT-BOOK OF BOTANY. 



gated in this way, as the willows, the twigs of which, when they 

 fall off or are broken off, frequently take root in the moist soil. 

 Other plants, like the oak, are very difficult to grow from cuttings. 

 In propagating plants from rhizomes the latter are cut into pieces, 

 each of which has one or two buds, and these pieces are planted. 

 Among the medicinal plants which have been grown from cuttings 

 of rhizomes are licorice, peppermint, hydrastis, and ginger, but 

 it is likely that all plants which produce rhizomes can be readily 



FIG. 405. Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) farming in a natural woodland glade. 

 From Wellcome Materia Medica Farm near Dartford, England. 



propagated in this manner. Cuttings of over-ground stems are 

 made from the growing parts of branches, and it is necessary to 

 have them of such a length that at least one node may be placed 

 in the soil. These are at first planted in micaceous soil or river 

 sand, which should be kept well moistened. It is desirable that 

 the leaves be as few as possible, so as to reduce the transpiring 

 surface until the young roots have been formed, which may take 

 several weeks or several months. Usually the lower leaves should 

 cut off entirely, while the others may be partially trimmed. The 



