THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 41 



till the graft has become strong enough to heal the wound when 

 inflicted. This will in general be about eighteen months after 

 budding, when care must be taken to cut close to the base of the 

 shoot, which enables the rising sap to cover the wound more easily. 

 In all cases the wound should be covered with either the under- 

 mentioned mixture immediately, and a small piece of grafting clay, 

 or, at least, a little mould should be rubhed upon it. 



Trimming the root is a matter, if possible, of even more con- 

 sequence, because but one more opportunity will be afforded of 

 reviewing this part of the work, and perhaps none of retrieving 

 mistakes. The longevity of the plant depending mainly upon the 

 roots, it is necessary to shorten all those which are long and thick, 

 and to remove heavy lumps and clumps of unserviceable wood, 

 leaving as nearly as possible only such parts as are furnished with 

 small fibres and roots. This will afford an opportunity of planting 

 the stocks with greater care, and of forcing them to make fresh 

 shoots (which in good ground they will be sure to do), and thus 

 continue to improvs. The roots, however, require the same attention 

 as the branches, for a closer investigation of the subject. It is 

 therefore only necessary to add here, that attention must be paid to 

 these points ; and for the greater convenience of cutting the roots, 

 which are sometimes twisted and in cramped positions, it will be 

 desirable to borrow a carpenter's small saw, as well as a hand-saw ; 

 and thus every facility being afforded in cutting the roots exactly as 

 they may require, the work will be much expedited as well as 

 improved ; but it must be remembered, that whenever a saw is used, 

 either to root or branch, the surface left must be smoothed over with 

 a knife. Having finished these operations, and ascertained the 

 heights desirable for the stocks, this is the proper time for shortening 

 them, previous to planting in rows for budding upon. 



PROPAGATION OP CAPE HEATHS. 



APE HEATHS are propagated both by seed and cut- 

 tings. In propagating by seed, select wide-mouthed 

 cutting-pots, or, what are better, pans provided with 

 holes for drainage. Fill them half their depth with 

 potsherds, the finer particles being placed as a top 

 layer ; immediately above this put a layer of coarse mould, filling 

 the pot or pan to within three-quarters of an inch with fine sandy 

 peat, pressing all moderately firm and perfectly level. The latter ia 

 most essential, as the seeds are so minute that an uneven surface 

 greatly retards the growth of the young plants. The seeds being 

 deposited, with a very fine sieve scatter a slight covering of white 

 Band, or very sandy peat, on them, barely enough to cover them ; 

 damp the surface, and keep it so till the tiny plants appear. And 

 here arises a difficulty, or, I should rather write, a troublesome case. 

 I have seen it recommended in books (and put in practice, too), to 



February. 



