PROPAGATING BY LAYERS. 



171 



from light and air, while at the same time keeping it 

 moist, thus aiding the dev_dagn^ent^ofjrQot. In making 

 layers of certain kinds of smaUKerbaceous plants and 

 slender vines, it will not be necessary to use pegs or 

 stakes to hold the layer in place ; but with larger plants, 

 they are usually needed for keeping the layered branch 

 steady and in one position, while the new roots are being 

 emitted. 



Twisting, coiling, or notching the branch, so as to 

 partly separate the fibres, will often answer the purpose 



Fig. 61 LAYERED BRANCH OF A TREE. 



equally as well as ton gn ing. Girdling the branch to be 

 layered, by removing a ring of bark a half inch or more 

 in width, is another mode of exposing the alburnum to 

 the soil and checking the flow of sap in woody plants. 

 Bending the branch aJL.a very acute angle will often 

 answer the same purpose, but this can only be done with 

 safety on plants with tough wood and bark. There are 

 many kinds of ligneous as well as herbaceous plants that 

 will produce roots freely, and in a few days' time, from 

 branches merely laid on the surface of the ground and 

 covered with almost any kind of material that will keep 

 them moist ; but there are others that produce roots very 



