PROPAGATION BY OFFSHOOTS 73 



its base where it curved inwards to join the parent 

 stem. The direction of the cut with regard to the 

 main axis of the plant and the angle at which it cuts 

 the sap-conducting vessels of the wood also usually 

 differ in the two cases. In the case of an offshoot the 

 cut is made roughly in the plane of the main axis 

 of the plant, and owing to the base of its stem bending 

 toward the mother the cut will also be more or less 

 at right angles to the direction of the vessels at that 

 point. In the seedling if the cut is made at right 

 angles to the direction of the vessels, it will be at 

 right angles to the main axis of the plant, and if it is 

 cut in a plane anywhere approaching that of the main 

 axis of the plant it will not be in the proper direction 

 with regard to the vessels, and the cut end will 

 probably show a more or less distinctive outline." 



From what has been said it will be evident that 

 the careful buyer need be in little fear that he will be 

 swindled; nor is the problem of packing and shipping 

 offshoots a serious one. It calls principally for 

 unremitting attention. The actual danger begins 

 after the offshoot is in the ground, but here again it 

 is not one that need alarm any except the ignorant or 

 negligent grower, and if offshoots are rooted indoors, 

 by the application of artificial heat to the soil, the 

 period of anxiety will be much shortened and the 

 percentage of success still further increased. 



