PROPAGATION 149 



with what is known as a " heel." This is, in 

 fact, a portion of the main stem. This heel 

 should be cut across immediately below where 

 it joined the stem. Of the two methods the 

 former, namely, without a " heel," is that most 

 generally preferred. 



Having prepared the cuttings in either of 

 the above ways, the next procedure is to insert 

 them in pots or in an open bed. For any of 

 the choicer or less hardy kinds, pots are to be 

 recommended. Take a 4-inch pot, put in 

 drainage to about a quarter of its depth ; 

 then fill up as full as possible with a com- 

 post made up of about equal parts of good 

 fibrous loam and sharp sand. Round the 

 edge of the pot, and about 2 inches apart, 

 make with a pointed stick small holes about 

 ii inch deep, into each of which drop a 

 pinch of silver sand. Now put a prepared 

 cutting into each of these holes, making sure 

 that they reach the bottom. Then place the 

 thumb of each hand on either side of the 

 cutting and press the soil firmly down : this 

 should be done to each cutting in turn. 



The great secret of putting in cuttings is to 



