Propagating and Shipping Young Stock 



too hard, but such sorts are very rare. There are also other varieties upon 

 which the cuttings will be too young and soft, and will not have completed 

 their growth nor be in a proper condition for rooting at the time the flowers 

 are cut. With this latter class, in order to get the proper quantity of propa- 

 gating wood, it will be necessary to sacrifice the flowers ; that is, to pinch 

 out the buds a short time after they have extended beyond the foliage, which 

 cutting back of the plant causes the side shoots to break, and in the course 

 of time a large supply of strong propagating wood will be produced. In 



Propagating Bench Shaded with Curtains 



fact, a number of the varieties of carnations introduced in later years have 

 the blooming tendency so strongly developed that the only practical method 

 of obtaining stock in quantity is to cut back the plants and rely upon the new 

 growth. 



The cuttings are taken from the stem by a smart pull downward, so as 

 to tear away a small portion of the bark from the flower stem with the heel 



75 



