PROPAGATION OF PLANTS 177 



protecting them from birds, which are at that time of the 

 year partial to them, and lime or soot will ward off slugs. 



Sweet Williams can also be propagated in this way, 

 and so can some shrubs which produce lengthy shoots 

 from near the base. In this last case a small bucketfull 

 of soil should be tipped near by, and some very strong pegs 

 obtained. The slit is made in the same way, though it 

 must be longer, and the tongue pressed outwards and 

 downwards, pegged into the soil and covered over. But 

 shrub layers must not be cut off till early the following 

 spring. 



Rock-plants from Cuttings : The propagation of rock- 

 plants is interesting work, and of many methods the one 

 I shall describe presently is not often practised in the 

 amateur's garden. 



It is more usual to sow seed in the spring, or divide the 

 " root stocks " of existing plants at that time, or in the 

 autumn. But division of the roots means lifting the 

 plants, and the rearing from seed usually necessitates 

 a long period of growth before flowering. 



Many of the Saxifrages, Sempervivums, Sedums, Drabas, 

 and other rock- plants throw up in August crops of small 

 rosettes round the larger rosettes of the parent plant. 

 By these we can propagate such plants. 



With a sharp knife cut off a number of these rosettes 

 from each plant. Cut them as long as possible, and some will 

 probably already possess roots. Have ready some light soil 

 (the following might be used : 2 parts old turfy loam, 

 i part leaf -mould, and plenty of sharp silver sand and 

 small limestone chippings), and a TL\ in. pot for each 

 cutting. Crock the pots well and fill in with compost, 

 leaving a margin of | in. from the top. Put into each 

 pot one of the rosettes, after removing any undesirable 

 rubbish which may be on it. Plant each rosette firmly in 

 the soil, throw in a few limestone chippings to remain 

 on the surface and tap the pot on the bench to settle it. 

 Group each sort together and label in some way. Water 

 carefully as soon as the potting is completed. Then place 



