BY CUTTINGS OP IMMATURE GROWTHS. 167 



plants. Not only are the Bryophyllums, Begonias, Ges- 

 nerias, and many other kinds of closely allied plants, 

 propagated by cuttings of their leaves, but among the 

 succulent Cactuses, Stapelias, Echeverias and Cacalias, 

 either their ieaves^or lej^Uke ^tejus, are geiLej^ally_,an> 

 ployed in multiplying the various species and varieties in 

 cultivation. 



SETTU^__THJL_QUTTINGS. The depth and distance 

 apart at which cuttings should be .get, .must necessarily 

 vary according to their length and thickness, but, as a 

 rule, one-half their entire length should be covered when 

 set iiilTposition for growth. 



The more us.ua! lengths for green cuttings are from 

 two to four inches ; consequently, the 

 sand in the boxes need not be of 

 greater" depth than to give , room for 

 the production of roots, and insure 

 the retention of sufficient amount of 

 moisture around the base of the cui- 

 ting. If the sand in the boxes is 

 made rather moist, a sharp or pointed 

 stick, or dibber, may be employed for 

 making the small holes in it for the 

 reception of the cuttings, but where 

 the cuttings are small, and a large 

 number are to be set, a pane of glass 

 is a better implement, for by pressing 

 one edge down into the sand, a 

 straight, narrow trench is quickly F| 61 



made across the box, and into this the PIECE OF BEGONIA LEAF, 



. , . , . ,, T USED AS A CUTTING. 



cuttings may be set very rapidly, and 

 at any distance apart desired. When a row has been set, 

 the glass may be inserted near it, and with a slight side 

 movement the sand pressed firmly against the cuttings, 

 or the sand, or other material, may be "pressed down 

 around each cutting, separately, with the fingers or the 



