AN ENCYCLOPADIA OF HORTICULTURE. 
243 
LAYERING. Layering is a method of propagation 
by means of which plants are rooted and increased while 
still fed by the parent. It is a most useful plan for 
propagating plants that do not succeed when wholly 
detached as cuttings. Sap flows through branches by 
the alburnum, and youngest layers of wood, to the leaves, 
and then returns by the inner bark, forming woody matter 
in its progress. The principle on which Layering is 
founded, is that of causing the returning sap to form 
roots at a certain place, of suitable texture, in the stem, 
and so constitute a separate and independent plant, which 
may afterwards be detached, and utilised for perpetuating 
the species. In some cases, roots are readily emitted 
from almost any firm portion of a branch, by merely 
fixing it and covering with soil. Generally, however, it 
is necessary to partially interrupt the course pursued 
by the sap, in order to induce it to form other roots, 
instead of returning to those of the parent plant. With 
this principle in view, various modes of Layering are 
practised, according to circumstances, and the sort of 
plant under treatment. The principal methods adopted 
are: Layering by simply Bending and Pegging the branch 
into the earth, Tongueing or Heeling, Ringing, Wiring 
or Strangulation, Twisting, Piercing, Serpentine Arching, 
and Insertion of the Growing Point. 
Layering by simply Bending into the earth is very easy, 
and plants are readily | ted when it succeeds. 
propaga’ 
All buds should be removed from the shoot, except a 
few near the top, which are intended for forming leaves. 
The part covered with soil should be secured with a peg, 
and the point bent in an upright direction, and tied to 
a stake. 
FIG. 382. METHODS OF LAYERING. 
4, By Tongueing or Heeling. B, By Ringing. 
Tongueing, or Heeling, is a method largely prac- 
tised, with much success. It consists of cutting the 
branch half-way through, below a bud, and making an 
incision (varying in length with different plants) in an 
Fic. 383. LAYERING BY TONGUEING OR HEELING. 
upward direction towards the point (see Figs, 382, a, and 
383). In covering with earth, it is important that the cut 
Layering—continued. 
surfaces be kept separated by some of the soil, or another 
substance, such as a small piece of wood; otherwise, 
the parts might unite again, instead of forming roots. 
Ringing is a mode represented in Fig. 382, B. The Layer 
is bent down, and secured with a peg, as in the process 
of Tongueing; but, instead of the wood being cut, a 
ring of bark is taken off—in this case, cutting quite 
through the outer and inner layers, in order to effec- 
tually arrest the sap on its return. The peg should be 
inserted near the place where the ring has been removed, 
and the latter portion must be well covered with soil, 
and be kept frequently moistened. 
Wiring, or Strangulation, refers to the Layering of 
branches which have had a wire strained tightly round 
them, so as to check the sap, and cause an accu- 
mulation of woody matter above the wire. Roots are 
not readily formed on this enlarged portion, when ex- 
posed to the air, but they usually appear when it is laid 
in soil, sometimes very soon. Pricking the bark through 
with a sharp instrument tends to encourage the produc- 
tion of roots. Tongueing and Ringing are both pre- 
ferable to this method, where their adoption proves 
. practicable. 
Twisting is the same as simply Layering in the earth, 
excepting that the branch is twisted for the purpose 
of rending the sap-vessels. Many plants will not bear 
such treatment without breaking; consequently, it can 
only be practised in certain cases. 
Piercing, like Twisting, refers to another plan of 
ordinary Layering, and differs only in detail. The branch, 
in this case, is pierced or punctured with some sharp 
instrument before being pegged and covered with soil. 
Clean cuts are always much better than bruises, and, for 
this reason, the removal of a notch on the under portion 
Fic. 384. LAYERING BY PIERCING OR NOTCHING, 
of each layer (see Fig. 384) is, of the two, to be pre- 
ferred. 
alluded to. 
buds, so that each portion may ultimately be severed, 
to form a separate plant. 
Layering by Insertion of the Growing Point is some- 
times an available method, if others fail, or when roots 
are not readily emitted. Points of firm shoots, for in- 
stance, of scarce varieties of Currants, Gooseberries, or 
Rubus, if placed and secured in newly-dug soil, in summer, 
will form a quantity of roots by autumn, and will be 
furnished with a growing bud. In such cases, this method 
may be successfully utilised for propagating. 
Ciroumposition is an old term applied to the Layering 
of plants whose branches are far from the ground, or, 
for various reasons, will not bend. It is still practised 
occasionally, but not to any great extent. The branch, 
in most cases, is either ringed, or has an incision made 
in it, and this part is placed inside a pot or box and sur- 
rounded with soil. An ordinary flower-pot, cut in two 
before being burned, answers well, as the two parts may 
