162 



PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 



sufficient openings in the bottoms to allow of rapid 

 drainage, there is little danger of applying too much 

 water on the surface, as the sand witTTJiMy retain a cer- 

 tain amount ; all in excess passift^ragidly away. The 

 roots being produced from, the- organized matter already 

 in the cutting, no further nutriment than that contained 

 in the water applied, is required until the cutting is well 

 supplied with roots, when it should be removed from the 

 sand, and potted in good soil, with which more or less 

 sand is intermingled, varying the amount according 



Fig. 57. CUTTING OF GREEN WOOD. 



the nature of the plant being propagated. Plants of a 

 soft, succulent nature, like the Coleuses, Begonias and 

 Geraniums, should at first be^o]^din^j;aO^J^gMjml 

 porous soil, while a more fern one may be given to ligne- 

 ous plants of Hnii tfcxfnre ; although it is better to err, if 

 at all, in placing the newly rooted cuttings in rather too 

 light a soil than one that is too heavy. 



PREPARING,, THE .CUTTINGS. In making 

 the young or ^ucculejai^shoot^ of plants, a portion of the 



