272 PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 



States, whilo others are quite hardy. The deciduous species are propa- 

 gated by seed and ripe wood cuttings, and the evergreen varieties by 

 cuttings of the young wood under glass. They may also be propa- 

 gated by layers, but cuttings produce the best-formed plants. The large 

 fruited and broad-leaved Euonymus (E. latifolius), is usually propagated 

 by budding and grafting on stocks of the larger-growing species, and 

 the low, trailing species may also be grafted on the same kind of stocks, 

 the evergreen thriving on the deciduous. 



Euphorbia (Milk wort, Poinsettia, Etc.) An immense genus of several 

 hundred of species of trees, shrubs and herbs, the greater part abounding 

 in a milk-like juice, often containing on acrid and poisonous principle, 

 others containing valuable medicinal properties. The flowers are small, 

 unisexual and crowded in numbers at the ends of the main shoots. A 

 few shrubby species are cultivated in greenhouses, usually under the 

 name of Poinsettias, the bright-colored bracts surrounding the umbel of 

 flowers being used for decorative purposes. The winter-blooming, 

 tropical species require a high tsmperature to insure full development 

 of the showy, leaf-like bracts. Propagated by cuttings, and they strike 

 root freely in a temperature of about seventy-five to ninety degrees. 



Eurya. A small genus of evergreen shrubs from China and Japan. 

 A variegated-leaved variety of lalifolia is occasionally cultivated as a 

 half-hardy shrub in our Northern States. Propagated by green cuttings 

 under glass. 



Exochorda (Large-flowered Spiraea). A very large, hardy decidu- 

 ous shrub, introduced about twenty-five years ago from China, under the 

 name of Spircea grandiflora, but, owing to its being difficult to propa- 

 gate, it has not as yet become common. Green cuttings taken from 

 plants forced in a greenhouse strike root more or less freely, but the 

 usual practice is to splice graft cions of the ripe wood on pieces of the 

 roots, then plant in hot-beds or in boxes in a moderately warm green- 

 house. It is also reported that in France ripe wood cuttings planted 

 early in fall in the open ground strike root quite readily. 



Fabiana. A neat little shrub with white flowers, and a well-known, 

 common greenhouse plant. Propagated by seeds and cuttings. 



Fag us (Beech). A genus of large and valuable timber and orna- 

 mental trees. All are deciduous except two or three species found in 

 South America, but of which little is known. The triangular-shaped 

 nuts are well known among the people of both Europe and America. 

 Propagated by seed, which should be sown as soon as it is taken 

 from the tree, or stored in moist sani and in a cool place through winter. 

 Varieties are propagated by layers, and by budding and grafting in the 

 open air. In grafting, the cions should be set low down, and as near 

 the roots as convenient for working handily. 



Faratnea. A neat little evergreen shrub from the West Indies. 

 Cultivated in greenhouses for its white, fragrant flowers, which are about 

 the size of those of the Cape Jasmine. This species (F. odoratissima), is 



