166 



PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 



rare species and varieties of tender greenhouse and bed- 

 ding plants that may be, and some often are, multiplied 

 in this manner. Certain kinds produce roots so freely 

 from their leaves ihat^it is not necessary to use or pre- 

 serve the leaf-stalk, but the leaf may be laid down with 

 its underside in contact with the. sand, and little wooden 

 pegs thrust through it as shown in the Begonia leaf, 



Fig. 60. LEAF OF BEGONIA, PRODUCING YOUNG PLANTS. 



figure 60, or the. leaf maybe^cut up into small pieces and 

 then set upright in sand, when eacjh part of the leaf will 

 soon produce roots, buds, and then new leaves, as shown 

 in figure 61. 



The thick, fleshy leaves of the common Bryophyllum 

 calycinum, as they fall to the ground, will often throw 

 out roots and buds from their edges, and, s if left, undis- 

 turbed, these buds saon become vigorous individual 

 gforf*&*&uU9*? to/toyi 

 6 



