214 METHOD OF PROPAGATING THE TREE P^EONY. 



of roots, and twenty-seven out of thirty-eight succeeded completely. 

 I tried the same plan, and with equal success, upon four varieties of 

 the " Metrosideros," upon the " Melaleuca," " Clethra Arborea," 

 and " Magnolia Grandiflora," besides Acacias and Roses. By this 

 means I have obtained a considerable number of plants fit for sale in 

 the course of six or seven months, remarkable for their strength and 

 beauty, and from eighteen to twenty-four inches in height. 



This simple method, I think, may be applied to all kinds of 

 plants ; and, as I have never seen it alluded to in any horticultural 

 work, I venture to think that, if you consider it worth publication, 

 it may be of some service to practical gardeners. 



ARTICLE IV. 



AN EASY AND SUCCESSFUL METHOD OF PROPAGATING THE 

 TREE PvEONY, BY MONS. MAUPOIL, OF DOLO, ON THE 

 BRENTA, IN ITALY. 



(Translated from the " Journal rles Co/moissances Usuelles.") 



BY AMICUS. 



In the month of April I take off (close to their origin) the young 

 shoots which show for flower, at which time they are about five, six, 

 or eight inches long. After having stripped off most of their leaves, 

 and cut off the flower-bud, I plant them in a northern aspect, and 

 cover them with a frame and a bell-glass. The next day I water 

 them ; but as the situation is, of course, moist, the waterings need 

 not be frequently repeated. Great care must be taken to prevent 

 the growth of moss, and, therefore, it is desirable to give them a 

 little air occasionally from sunrise till seven or eight o'clock in the 

 morning. By the following month of October they are well rooted, 

 and they may then be planted out, or left where they are, if they have 

 sufficient ground-room. By this method I do not lose above one 

 cutting out of twelve. Experience has taught me that the young 

 and vigorous shoots which have no flower buds do not strike so well ; 

 and the reason seems to be, that the suppression of the bud causes 

 an increased determination of sap to the base of the cutting. 



