73 FLORA HiSTORlCA. 



cuttings intended to be piped are to have two 

 complete joints, that is to say, they are to be 

 cut off horizontally close under the second joint : 

 the extremities or points of the leaves are like- 

 wise to be shortened, as for laying, which will 

 leave the whole length of the piping from one 

 inch and a half to two inches, according to its 

 strength: as soon as thus prepared, it may be 

 thrown into a basin of soft water for a few 

 minutes to plump it up. The earth on the bed 

 where the pipings are to be placed should be 

 moderately moistened, and rendered rather com- 

 pact than otherwise; then take a small hand- 

 glass, and with it make an impression neatly on 

 the surface of the soil, in order to know where 

 to stick in the pipings, so as to lose no room, or 

 endanger their being disturbed when the glass is 

 placed over them. The pipings are then to be 

 taken out of the bason singly, and forced into the 

 earth, in their wet state, with a steady hand, but 

 not more than half an inch deep. When a suffi- 

 cient number for the glass are thus placed re- 

 gularly at equal distances from each other, and 

 rather more than an inch within the mark de- 

 scribed by the glass, on every side, they are to 

 be very gently watered, in order that the earth 

 may adhere more closely to them, and thereby 

 keep out the air; after this watering, they are to 



