168 PRINCIPES OF GARDENING. [CH. V. 



branches or roots accordingly as the medium, air 

 or earth, renders the production appropriate. This 

 may be proved in two ways ; for if a gooseberry bush 

 be trimmed, and then its head is buried in the earth 

 with the roots exposed to the air, these will put forth 

 leaves whilst the branches will emit roots. On the 

 other hand, if a root be induced by the layering 

 pot in the mode mentioned, and subsequently it is 

 gradually introduced to the air, by removing the 

 soil and filling the pot Arith moist moss, and then 

 by removing the moss and giving only moisture, 

 it may eventually be left exposed, and will put forth 

 leaves. The experiment mil succeed with the 

 codlin, and probably with the June-eating apple. 



Buds contain the rudiments of a plant, and it 

 very early suggested itself to the gardener that they 

 might be employed advantageously as a means of 

 propagation ; and budding has now become the most 

 prevalent mode. In performing the operation, as 

 the nourishment has to be afforded to the bud from 

 the albiu-num of the stock Avith which it is brought 

 in contact, this should not be exposed to the air for 

 one minute longer than is necessai-y to insert the 

 pre\dously prepared bud, for if the surface becomes 

 dry in the slightest degree, vegetation on that part is 

 permanently destroyed. The alburnum of the stock 

 only supplies sap, which is elaborated in the bud 

 and its developed leaves ; and through its bark is 

 returned the peculiar juice from whence the woody 



