86 



>••' 







46 



Geranium cutting. One-half nat^i- 

 ral size. 



been discovered, and we say that the plant cannot be propagated by 



cuttings. Most plants prefer that the cutting be made of the soft 



or growing wood, of which the 

 '' slips " of geraniums and coleus 

 are examples. Others grow 

 equally well from cuttings of the 

 hard or mature wood, as currants 

 and grapes ; and in some instances 

 this mature wood may be of roots, 

 as in the blackberry. Somewhat 

 different principles underlie the 

 handling of these two kinds of cut- 

 tings ; and these principles we may 

 now consider. We shall find it 

 excellent practice to set the pupils 

 to make cuttings now and then. 

 If we can do nothing more, we 



can make cuttings of potatoes, as the farmer does, and we can plant 



them in a box in the window. 



The Softwood Cutting. 



The softwood cutting is made from tissue 

 which is still growing, or at least from that 

 which is not dormant. It must not be allowed 

 to wilt. Therefore, it must be protected from 

 direct sunlight and dry air until it is well estab- 

 lished ; and if it has many leaves, some of them 

 should be removed or at least cut in two in 

 order to reduce the evaporating surface. Keep 

 the soil uniformly moist ; and avoid soils which 

 contain much decaying organic matter, for 

 these soils are breeding places of fungi which 

 attack the soft cutting and cause it to " damp off." 



For most plants, the proper age or maturity of wood . for the 

 making of cuttings may be determined by giving the twig a quick 

 bend ; if it snaps and hangs by the bark, it is in proper condition ; 



478 



47. — Carnation cut- 

 ting. Natural size. 



