250 PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 



eties are raised from seed, then increased by cuttings of the young shoots 

 planted in sand in frames. Cuttings root very freely, and usually with- 

 out dropping their flower buds if these are left on when the cuttings are 

 made. 



Acacia. Evergreen trees and shrubs, principally from the tropics 

 Australia, New Holland, East Indies, South America and Africa. About 

 400 species are known, but not more than one-eighth of the number in 

 cultivation. Propagated by seed, or cuttings taken off with a heel and 

 inserted in sand under a bell glass or in a close frame. Also by root- 

 cuttings of two or three inches in length, placed in sand, with the larger 

 end only lightly covered. 



Acalypha. Tropical shrubs with inconspicuous flowers, but rather 

 ornamental foliage. They require a high temperature to bring out the 

 bright color of their leaves. Propagated by cuttings, taken off in early 

 spring and placed in a close frame, and given a temperature of eighty to 

 ninety degrees, Fahrenheit. 



Acer (Maples). Well-known deciduous trees and shrubs, natives of 

 cool climates. Seeds of such species as American Silver-leaved Maple 

 (A. dasycarpuni) and Red Maple (A. rubrum), which ripen early in sum- 

 mer, should be sown immediately and covered very lightly ; but the 

 seeds of species ripening in autumn may be readily preserved by mixing 

 with clean sand and then stored in a cool place until spring. These late 

 ripening seeds may also be sown in autumn if preferred, although there 

 is greater danger of loss from vermin than when stored in sand over 

 winter. The varieties of the species named may be readily propagated 

 by budding or grafting in the nursery, and the same is true of the Hard 

 or Sugar Maple ; but in grafting, the cions should be taken from the 

 trees early in winter and kept dormant until the sap has begun to flow 

 quite freely in the stocks. The European varieties require similar treat- 

 ment ; but the Japan Maples are more successfully grafted under glass 

 and by veneer grafting, the stocks having been grown in pots for this 

 purpose. The Japan Maples may also be propagated by cuttings of the 

 green wood taken off in summer, but the plants are usually feeble, 

 making a very slow growth ; consequently, this mode of propagation is 

 not recommended. The Negundo Maple or Box Elder (A. Negundo), 

 may be propagated by ripe wood cuttings taken in the fall and placed 

 in a moist and warm position, where a callus will be formed by the time 

 they are wanted for planting out in the spring. All the species and 

 varieties of the Maple may be increased by layers, made in autumn or 

 after the leaves are nearly full formed in spring ; but plants raised from 

 layers are inferior to those produced from seeds, or by budding and 

 grafting. 



Acttnidia (Japan Gooseberry). A small genus of hardy deciduous 

 climbing shrubs from Japan, one of the species bearing edible jerries, 

 resembling a gooseberry in size and flavor. Propagated by seeds, layers 

 and cuttings of the green shoots in summer. Both cuttings and layers 



