152 ROCK GARDENS 



cuttings in early summer, choosing the young 

 growth, and cut to joint, as already described ; 

 then insert in the prepared bed, and cover with 

 a hand-light, keeping quite close for a couple 

 of weeks ; after that let a little air in at night, 

 closing again in the daytime. In all probability 

 a very large proportion of the cuttings will be 

 found to have rooted by the autumn. 



Some of the hard-wooded shrubs are often 

 very slow in striking. If at the end of the 

 year the bark remains fresh and firm, but still 

 there are no signs of growth, remove it from 

 the pot. On examination it may in all pro- 

 bability be found that although there are no 

 roots, a covering will have formed over the 

 end of the cutting, which is known as a 

 " callus," and from which the roots will 

 eventually spring. If this is found to be 

 the case, pot it up again with fresh soil, using 

 plenty of sharp sand. Very likely in a few 

 months' time growth will appear, showing that 

 it has made roots. In fact, as long as the 

 cutting continues fresh and the bark un- 

 shrivelled, there is always the chance of its 

 striking. I have had cuttings as long as two 



