PROPAGATION BY ROOT-CUTTINGS. 183 



out. The temperature of the cellar should remain only 

 a few degrees. above the freezing point, until the approach 

 of warm weather in spring ; then, if the callus and buds 

 have not formed, increase the temperature as much as 

 may be necessary to excite growth. It will be found in 

 practice, that root-cuttings of certain kinds of plants pro- 

 duce a callus, buds, and even young shoots in a much lower 

 temperature than others, hence the necessity of frequent 

 examination. There is also a very marked difference in 

 the readiness with which root-cuttings .of the same .genus 

 produce buds, and very often, when two varieties of the 

 same species are treated exactly alike, and placed side by 

 side, one will produce buds and even shoots several inches 

 in length, before the other has emitted a callus. I have 

 often found this to be the case with root-cuttings of roses, 

 and a little forcing with bottom heat was needed to make 

 certain varieties produce buds. The intelligent propa- 

 gator will readily see where a change in treatment is re- 

 quired, and bear in mind that it is only by close attention 

 in such matters that success is to be attained. 



In warm or hot climates root-cuttings may be planted 

 out as soon as they are made, provided there is a certainty 

 of sufficient rain falling to ensure a supply of moisture, ; 

 but keeping them under artificial conditions will usually 

 yield the most satisfactory results. In all cases the root- 

 cuttings should be made when the plant has matured its 

 growth of the season, whether it be of herbaceous or 

 Avoody species, and the propagator should not forget that 

 it takes time for buds to form from cell matter, and to 

 force the roots when first divided is seldom or never advis- 

 able. In propagating tender or greenhouse plants, such 

 as Bouvardias, Geraniums, Acacias and Coronillas, etc., 

 by root-cuttings, the cuttings should be placed in the 

 boxes and covered with sand, charcoal, or moss, and then 

 set aside in a moderately cool place to callus and produce 

 buds, before attempting to force them into growth. 



