SEPTEMBER. 189 



attention, to exercise discrimination in selecting the cuttings em- 

 ployed. This part of the garden routine is generally entrusted to 

 young and inexperienced hands, and much inconvenience is often the 

 result. 



Before we proceed, it will be well to say something of the propa- 

 gating-frame. It is not often that a structure is expressly adapted 

 for the purpose in a private establishment. Pits and frames, and 

 various nondescript structures known only in a forcing-garden, and 

 whose legitimate uses are for other purposes, have to be pressed into 

 service during the propagating campaign, where any quantity of 

 plants has to be provided, and where expedition is a matter of im- 

 portance, a slight command of bottom-heat is indispensable. For that 

 purpose, next to a properly constructed " propagating-pit," nothing 

 is better than heat derived from leaves. It is both lasting and uniform, 

 — two great essentials for successful practice in propagating. In pre- 

 paring the bed for commencing operations, a provision should be made 

 for plunging the cutting- pots ; and it will be found a great saving of 

 time, as well as materially economising space to use pots or pans of 

 an uniform size. To remove one where the cuttings are struck, and 

 insert another, is the work of a moment under such an arrangement. 

 Not so, however, where pots of different sizes and depths are used 

 indiscriminately. The necessity for re-arranging them becomes fre- 

 quent, involving inconveniences of a very numerous character, and 

 which need scarcely be named here. To return to the question of 

 plunging, many persons do not attach much importance to the prac- 

 tice ; but I conceive it to be a point worthy of attention. By adopt- 

 ing it a more uniform root-temperature is secured, and as evapora- 

 tion from the sizes of the pots is prevented, the necessity for the use 

 of the watering-pot is greatly obviated ; which, it must be confessed, 

 is a great point gained. If the mould in which the cuttings are in- 

 serted is properly moistened at first, and the subsequent manage- 

 ment what it should be, no water will be required, at least not for 

 cuttings which root freely ; and most plants employed for bedding 

 purposes possess that desirable quality. 



Good cuttings inserted at the proper season, and well managed, 

 strike root in a very short space of time. And here a little matter 

 suggests itself, to which I must beg especial attention. JS^ever allow 

 cuttings to droop. From the moment of separating them from the 

 parent plant till their final establishment as separate individuals, this 

 sliould be an especial object of attention. In some kinds it may not 

 be of vital importance, but in others it is very much so. The prac- 

 tice of collecting large quantities of cuttings, for the making and 

 insertion of which perhaps a day is required, is objectionable on 

 many points. A few only should be collected at one time, and then 

 inserted as soon afterwards as possible. 



Nor should cuttings be allowed to remain in the propagating-pit 

 after they are })roperly rooted. To permit it is to destroy the natural 

 vigour of the young plants, and to render them longer dependent on 

 artificial support. 



Crayon. 



