PROPAGATION BY CUTTINGS. 101 



flowers beautifully and distinctly striped with black and 

 white, and even combining the gaudy colours of the tulip, 

 or the choicest hues of the carnation ; perhaps the criteria 

 of character may change to those of huge globular forms or 

 balls nay, even the odour of the Rose or the Jasmine may 

 be imparted, and what then? Only let amateurs and cul- 

 tivators persevere with the spirit they have done during 

 the last few years, and we think all we have advanced wiH 

 be realized. 



Propagation. This operation may be performed in vari- 

 ous ways, either by division of the root, by cutting of the 

 young shoots, or by grafting. For general planting, divi- 

 sion of the root will be sufficient ; about the first of the 

 month the old root, entire, should be planted in some warm 

 and sheltered spot of the garden, covering it with sand, 

 vegetable mould, or any light soil ; in about two weeks the 

 eyes or young shoots will have sprouted : then it will be 

 properly seen how they can be most carefully divided ; the 

 root should be carefully cut into as many pieces as there 

 are eyes or sprouts, leaving only one tuber to each, when 

 they can be planted into the situation appropriated for their 

 blooming. 



Propagation by Cuttings. Prepare a hot-bed in March, 

 as therein described, and place a frame and lights of the 

 required size upon it, scatter over the surface of the bed 

 four or five inches of sand, old bark, or any light soil ; after 

 four or five days, the fresh steam will have subsided, when 

 the roots may be laid thereon, covering them (but not over 

 the crowns) with light sandy soil ; but where large pots can 

 be obtained, I prefer planting them in the pots; by this 

 means the plants are kept distinct, and can be taken out 

 at any time and examined. They should be frequently 

 sprinkled with water that is partially warm; and if, after 

 they are thus placed in the bed, a rank and dense steam 

 should arise, the lights should be slightly raised both night 

 and day, till it subsides ; and if the nights are cold, cover 

 the lights with mats or shutters. This gentle bottom heat 

 will speedily induce the eyes to grow, and when the shoots 

 have attained the height of three or four inches, they 

 should be cut off close to the base, which makes the best 

 plant. After the cuttings are taken off, pot them singly 

 into vry small pots filled with light aady loam, containing 

 9* 



