136 PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 



often supposes the various modes of propagation to be 

 surrounded, I shall give a brief synopsis of the general 

 principles connected therewith, together with a descrip- 

 tion of the more usual methods practised by our most 

 skilful propagators of plants. It may also be proper to 

 1 suggest that, however well informed a person may be in 

 regard to the structure and habits of plants, and however 

 extended his experience and perfect the conveniences 

 for propagation, he must still possess skill and patience, 

 and exercise great care and watchfulness in every opera- 

 tion, in order to become a successful cultivator and 

 propagator of plants in general. A person may know 

 just how an operation should be performed and still lack 

 the skill required for its execution. 



PROPAGATIONS BY. SEEDS. The perpetuation of the 

 greaier portion of the knoY.~n species of plants is directly 

 by their seeds, which, in their wild state, they perfect 

 with great uniformity, but when cultivated the vital 

 forces are often disturbed, and a portion is directed into 

 other, than natural channels. The effect of this we see 

 in the double flower and the increased size of many of our 

 fruits. The seeds of so-called " improved plants " often 

 become abortive and cannot be depended upon as a 

 means of reproduction, not only because of the want of 

 vitality which naturally belongs to them, but in the 

 course of long cultivation there has been such an inter- 

 mingling of species, as well as varieties, that scarcely 

 any variety of cultivated fruit will reproduce an exjict 

 counterpart of itself from seed. Therefore we have to 

 resort to other modes of propagation to perpetuate any 

 particular variety. 



Under what particular conditions seeds germinate 

 most readily it is certainly difficult to determine, because 

 of their great diversity of character and functions. 

 Heat and moisture are always necessary in order that cer- 

 tain changes may take place in the seed, but the degree 



