STOVE, GREENHOUSE, AND OTHER RARE PLANTS. 129 



or bend which is to inserted into the earth; about one-third of it 

 should be cut off in a transverse direction ; it being so placed, that the 

 transverse cut may be immediately on or below the joint; but by no 

 means is the whole of it to be cut away, as practised by some, it be- 

 ing the part which in most instances produces the first fibres. Hav- 

 ing the layer thus prepared, the earth must be opened with the hand 

 about three or four inches deep, and in the direction of the shoot, 

 into which opening, it would be advisable to put a little fresh loam 

 or sand for the immediate reception of the layer ; which should be 

 fixed therein at least three inches under the surface, the tongue 

 should be gently twisted sideways so as to prevent its resting within 

 the heel or bend, and the mould immediately closed tight over it; 

 as many layers as are wanted being thus made, let the whole have a 

 moderate watering to settle the mould, and be set or plunged in a 

 good growing heat; as it is of considerable importance to keep the 

 parent plant in a free thriving state. 



There are many plants which produce roots so freely, that should 

 a branch even touch the surface of the ground, they strike almost im- 

 mediately ; these every gardener will soon become acquainted with 

 by their natural efforts, and therefore, will find it sufficient for their 

 increase merely to insert them in the mould : noting however, that a 

 slight twist on the part inserted will considerably promote their root- 

 ing. 



It is a conclusion drawn from several experiments, that the layer, 

 which is inserted to a proper depth, roots sooner and better than that 

 which is layed nearer the surface ; the self-evident reason of which is, 

 that the deeper they are the air is better excluded, and there is a 

 more regular degree of moisture for the nourishment of the young 

 fibres, when they make their appearance. I must also observe, that 

 no part of the shoot should on any pretence be covered with the 

 mould, except that which is meant to produce roots, as the covering 

 of the whole renders it extremely liable to rot : therefore, if any 

 particularly tender plant should happen to be thus treated, it would 

 evidently endanger the whole stool. This may seem an unnecssary 

 observation to some, but I can assure such, that I have seen layers 

 made by people, who thought themselves extremely clever, where 

 none of the parent stool were left in sight, except the tops of each 

 individual layer : what was the consequence ? in a few months, one 

 half at least of the 6tools were without the least spark of life remain- 

 ing ; and of the rest which were so fortunate as to survive, perhaps 

 not one- tenth of the shoots layed, produced plants. 



