ANNUAL MP:ETING. 143 



to revert to the normal or wild state is so decided that we shall be fortunate 

 if even one out of a thousand of our reproductions from the seed shall equal its 

 parent in the qualities valued by the poinoloi^ist. I3y the great mass of fruit- 

 growers, however, propagation from the seed, except accidentally, is rarely 

 practiced, and hence the production of valuable varieties seldom occurs with 

 such persons. 



"We scarcely need be told that the microscope reveals the fact that a seed is 

 merely a cerement, containing, wrapped u[) in its procectmg tissues, the incipient 

 members of the future tree ; and also that every wood bud upon a tree carries 

 within its folds the same possibilities, with the important exception, however, 

 that from the bud the resultant tree or branch lacks the power of the seed to 

 sport into varieties. This fixity, in the character of bud growths, affords with 

 many, if not most plants, the only sure and convenient means of continuing 

 or multiplying a variety by propagation. Since, therefore, all, except botan- 

 ists and professional propagators, are concerned mainly in the perpetuation of 

 varieties, by the multiplication of plants, wo will, lienceforward, confine our- 

 selves to this branch of the subject. 



MODES or PROPAGATION. 



Layering 



Is the most simple and ready mode of increasing a stock of plants, and, from 

 its convenience, when only a few plants are desired, it is very generally prac- 

 ticed by other than regular propaga tors. It consists in selecting a convenient 

 shoot of recent growth (not more than a year old), and imbedding it three to 

 five inches deep in the soil at the base of the plant, confining it firmly, if 

 needful by means of a hooked peg, and leaving the top above the surface. 



The stronger canes of the vine usually send forth from eacli bud smaller 

 shoots, called laterals. Wiien such a cane is conveniently placed for the 

 purpose, open a trench four or five inches deep, the length of such cane; 

 which must be placed upon the bottom and the trench filled, with the laterals 

 kept upright, and their tips above the surface. 



In both cases the canes will emit roots, mainly near the buds; and when 

 well rooted, the canes should be cut from the mother plant, and may be 

 removed at the proper season for transplanting. The cane with laterals will 

 have emitted roots from each node (joint), and njay be cut into as many 

 plants as there are rooted laterals. 



Cuttings^ 



When taken for propagation, should be large and well ripened, and should 

 have at least two buds each, or more, when a length of about six inches will 

 include a greater number. They should be cut immediately below the lower 

 bud, and about an inch above the upper one. If cut at the time of pruning 

 in autumn (which is preferable), it will be better to at once select a warm, 

 rich, loamy soil, that will not bake or crack, and plant at once; otherwise, 

 pack in damp earth, in the cellar, or in the open ground, protected against 

 hard freezing; and in spring, as soon as the soil can be prepared, stretch a 

 lino along the proposed row, and with a shovel, open a trench along one side 

 of the line, about six or seven inches in depth on the side next the line, with 

 the side sloping towards it at a considerable angle. Place the cuttings against 

 this slope, about three or four inches apart, so that the upper bud will bo just 

 beneath the surface when the trench is filled. Compact the earth well about 



