70 PROPAGATION 



is beneficial at this time, or whenever the plants seem to 

 require stiffening up. 



November. — Continue spraying. Be careful with 

 the ventilating. Keep the soil surface scratched. Dis- 

 bud where necessary, and attend to the staking. The 

 field for the Summer crop may be plowed now, and cross 

 breeding may be undertaken if that is practised. Some of 

 the slow growing varieties may be propagated by cuttings. 



December. — Other cuttings may be taken this month, 

 and the work as outlined in the last month continued 

 carefully. 



Routine of Cultivation 

 propagation 



The old method of propagating by layering is not 

 practised in this country. The first thing is to choose 

 cuttings from good, sound, healthy plants. A little bottom 

 heat, while not necessary, is still desirable, as it hastens 

 the rooting and avoids loss from disease or deca}'. 



A bench situated at the back of any ^ span roofed 

 greenhouse, facing north, is excellent. The benches for 

 the cuttings should be 4 in. to 6 in. deep, and ought to be 

 thoroughly clean before being filled. A good coat of lime- 

 wash is advisable, and for drainage over the bottom a Httle 

 clean straw or sphagnum moss can be laid over the seams 

 or holes. Use clean, sharp sand, neither too fine nor too 

 coarse; ver\- fine sand packs too close, while coarse sand 

 doesn't pack sufficiently. Pound this well with a brick 

 to make it firm, then the bench is ready to receive the 

 cuttings. 



As to which type of cutting is best is an open question. 



