80 ON THE PROPAGATION' OF ANNUALS BY CUTTINGS. 



zanthus will strike by cuttings six inches long, and flower. I have 

 one by me now, that I caused to take root in August, in loam 

 and sandv peat, without the aid of a glass ; it produced bloom in 

 October and November, but failing to bear seeds, it remains a 

 stout and healthy plant, with two branches. Clarkia can be struck 

 and preserved, so can Calliopsis (late Coreopsis) of several species. 

 I mention a few only of the many beautiful annuals that can thus 

 be preserved, even in a well protected cold frame of turf, with a 

 good glazed light. The object is not one perhaps of much in- 

 terest ; and the subjects themselves do not appear very ornamen- 

 tal during the dead months, but they may prove very useful even 

 to the gardener ; and to ladies, and to young people of taste, the 

 practice of raising, or of trying to raise, plants by this process, a 

 fund of rational entertainment, and some instruction, may be 

 procured. Of biennial and herbaceous subjects, such as Calceola- 

 ria integrifolia, angustifolia, rugosa, — Salvia of many kinds, Wall- 

 flowers, some Stocks, &c. &c, numbers may be struck, and kept 

 in health for early transplantation. A cold frame, a green-house, 

 or even a sitting-room window, will afford to many plants ample 

 protection, which would all be lost unless they were annually 

 renewed by seeds. 



The soil for such cuttings may, in general, be good border 

 earth, or maiden loam and decayed vegetable matter, blended in 

 nearly equal proportions. If single plants be raised, a small pot 

 should be filled thus, above a good stratum of drainage, and then 

 a hole being made two inches deep in the centre of the mould, 

 with a round stick, silver sand, to the depth of half an inch, is to 

 be poured into the hole ; upon this, place the base of the cutting, 

 keep it in the middle of the hole, and fill that up with the same 

 sand ; shade the plants till they appear to have adapted themselves 

 to their situation, and stand firm and erect ; or cover them with 

 small glasses. In raising a stock of plants, Mr. Mearn's method 

 may be tried. Put the soil into a. broad and rather deep pot, so 

 deep only that the cuttings, when planted, shall not quite reach 

 its rim ; then make as many holes as there are cuttings — apply 

 sand as above directed, and finally, cover the top of the pot with a 

 suitable piece of flat glass. A gentle spi-inkling may at first be 

 given over the surface of the soil, and this should be kept rather 

 moist, but not wet ; air ought to be freely given when the plants 



