20 PROPAGATION OF TROPICAL FRUIT TREKS, ETC. 



instance, in leaf production and in the quality of the product. In 

 other words, seeds can not be relied upon to reproduce the exact 

 characters of the parent plant. Dr. Shepard also finds that some forms 

 which produce superior teas have very poor roots, thus necessitating 

 grafting upon stronger-rooting varieties. 



The propagation of the desirable varieties of the tea plant may be 

 secured in several ways according to the object to be attained. For 

 instance, grafting should be the method chosen in cases where a 

 desirable variety has a poor root system; because by taking young 

 plants of varieties known to form good roots and using them as stocks 

 the poor-rooting kinds may be united to them by means of the veneer 

 method of grafting. Again, the stock of desirable plants of any 

 particular variety having good root systems can be increased by laver- 

 ing, if the plants have previously been prepared by priming so as to 

 provide suitable wood for the purpose. 



The quickest and least troublesome method of propagation is by 

 cuttings of the newly ripened shoots (PI. VII, tigs. 1 and 2). None of 

 the above-named operations is difficult, but to perform any of them 

 successfully requires constant care and attention to the details while 

 the scions are uniting with the stocks or when the branches and cut- 

 tings are forming roots. Sometimes, in layering operations, the 

 weather supplies conditions which enable the branches to root without 

 further care on the part of the operator; but not so with grafts and 

 cuttings, as these operations must be carried on under conditions 

 which require continual care during the period required for uniting or 

 for rooting. Any neglect at this time is certain to result disastrously. 



VENEER GRAFTI>. < ; . 



Seedling stocks may be grown in 4 or 5-inch pots for the reception 

 of scions by the veneer method of grafting. To have the plants in 

 perfect condition for working, it is necessary that they he grown from 

 the seedling stage without a check, as the healthier the plant the bet- 

 ter the chance of a successful union. Another important matter in 

 this connection is that the stock plants should not be allowed to form 

 matted roots in small pots; therefore, it will be found better to lift 

 them from the nursery and put them in pots previous to the operation; 

 or they may be grown and grafted while in garden Hats. If this last- 

 named method is chosen the plants should be situated far enough apart 

 in the flats to lie easily handled. If the grafting is performed while 

 the stocks are in active growth, the union will take place more quickly 

 than when the plants are in a dormant condition. The operation 

 should Ik 1 performed in the early part of spring. Plate VI. A, shows 

 how the incision in the stem should be prepared. This should be 

 made with a sharp knife and the cut at the deepest pr.rt should not be 



