CHAP. IV.] CUTTINGS. 65 



developement of roots, and the part below the 

 joint generally rots. In this case there is, of 

 course, a great probability that the whole cutting 

 will become rotten also. Indeed, as all the 

 vessels of a cutting are divided and left open, 

 when it is separated from the parent plant, 

 there is always danger of its rotting if exposed 

 to much damp ; and yet it must have warmth 

 and moisture to excite its vital action. Hence, 

 cuttings are generally potted in sand, and 

 covered with a bell-glass, that the sand may keep 

 the wounded end of the cutting dry, and yet that 

 the bell-glass may preserve a proper degree of 

 humidity in the atmosphere to keep up a vital 

 action in the vessels, and to prevent too much 

 evaporation taking place. 



Great care should be taken that no space is 

 left between the earth and the end of the cut- 

 ting;, which should be quite firm and level ; as 

 unless the earth is pressed closely round it, it 

 is apt to wither or to rot ; and hence it is 

 found that cuttings of orange and lemon trees, 

 which are always considered difficult to strike, 

 will seldom grow unless the end of the cutting 

 rests upon the earthenware of the bottom of 

 the pot. " The object of this," says Dr. 

 Lindley in his Theory of Horticulture, "seems 

 to be to place the absorbent or root-end of the 

 cutting in a situation where, while it is com- 

 pletely drained of water, it may, nevertheless, 

 be in the vicinity of a never-failing supply of 

 aqueous vapour." If, on the contrary, any 

 open space be left, or if the end of the cutting- 

 be left raised or uneven, water is sure to lodo-e 

 round it, and to rise irregularly through its 



p 



