STARTING PLANTS FROM CUTTINGS 33 
method of rooting cuttings. Pot them off as soon 
as the roots begin to grow. 
Cuttings made by the two systems described 
above are usually taken in autumn, or in spring. 
When it is necessary to get new plants during June, 
July or August, a method called “layering in the 
air” will have to be resorted to if you would be 
certain of results. Instead of taking the cutting 
clean off, cut it nearly through; the smallest shred 
of wood and bark will keep it from wilting, but it 
should be kept upright, for if it hangs down the end 
of the shoot will immediately begin to turn up, 
making a U-shaped cutting. The cuttings are left 
thus partly attached for about eight days or until 
they are thoroughly calloused, when they are taken 
off and potted, like rooted cuttings, but giving a lit- 
tle more sand in the soil and not quite so much 
water. They are, of course, shaded for several 
days. 
Some of the plants ordinarily grown in the house, 
such as Rex begonias, rubber plants, sword ferns, 
are best increased by leaf cuttings, topping, layering 
or other methods differing from seed sowing or 
rooting cuttings. These several operations will be 
described in treating of the plants for which they 
are used. 
Having carried our little plants safely through 
the first stage of their growth, it is necessary that 
we use some care in getting them established as in- 
