CHAP, xvi VILLA GARDENING 93 



plants may be grown in a comparatively small space, although, of 

 course, it is better not to limit ourselves in room, as sites may be 

 created for grand masses of some special subject standing alone 

 in some nook or corner, imparting a character to the place which 

 is not soon forgotten. 



CHAPTER XVI 



The Propagation of Hardy Plants. — This may be effected 

 by cuttings of branches or roots, by division, and by seeds. As 

 regards the propagation by cuttings, the best time to take these, 

 when the generation takes place in the open air, is in July and 

 August. If glass is used the jiropagation may be either earlier 

 or later. It is always advisable, even in the simplest kind of 

 propagation, to prepare the bed before inserting the cuttings. 

 The best plan is to place on the surface of the ground (selecting a 

 shady site, or a situation where the rays of the midday sun do 

 not penetrate) 4 inches in depth of nice, light, sandy compost, that 

 has been run through a half-inch sieve. Make it firm by pressure ; 

 if dry, soak well with water, and when the surplus moisture has 

 drained away dibble in the cuttings. If the compost is not to be 

 had for the surface-dressing, pass the top 3 inches of the border 

 through the half-inch sieve ; the thorough intermingling and break- 

 ing up which this effects will be an advantage to the cuttings, 

 causing them to root better and more rapidly. 



If the bed is ready, the cuttings can be taken a few at a time 

 when they can be obtained. Of course young shoots, destitute of 

 tiowers, make the best cuttings, but very often these cannot be 

 had ; and if flowering stems have to be employed, it is better not 

 to wait till the advancing seeds have taken all the vigour out of 

 the plants. The flower stems of many things cut into pieces 

 several inches in length, so as to include two or more joints, will 

 make excellent cuttings, and in some cases — as with Hollyhocks, 

 for instance — a single joint is sufficient to make a plant. The 

 propagation of plants under glass may go on pretty well all the 

 year round, and I shall refer to this hereafter. Propagation 

 Ijy division is the simplest of all. We have only to dig uj) a 

 root at a season when the plant is not in flower or approaching 

 that condition, and separate it into as many pieces as we have 

 plants for, each with a root or two attached. The tool required 

 for the work is a sharp knife. Very frequently, in the case of 

 common things, the spade, if a good steel implement, will perform 

 the operation in a satisfactory manner, but with choice things it 



