322 PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 



plants in cultivation, and a universal favorite. It is readily propagated 

 by division of the large clumps of fleshy roots, cr by cuttings of the 

 succulent stems, planted either in frames, or in a shady place in the 

 open ground. Cuttings of the blooming stems, taken just as the 

 flowers begin to drop off, root quite readily in the open air, if water is 

 applied freely during dry weather. Of the other genera very few are 

 cultivated, although some of the perennial Corydalis are occasionally 

 ceen in botanical collections and private gardens. All readily propa- 

 gated by seed and cuttings of the succulent stems. 



Gentianacece (Gentian Family). Mostly smooth annual, biennial 

 or perennial herbs, a colorless bitter juice being a characteristic of the 

 entire order. Of the forty-nine genera of this family, a very small 

 number are represented in gardens and greenhouses. The most popular 

 of all are the true Gentians (Gentiana), and some of the very best of 

 these resist all attempts to domesticate them. The best mode of propa- 

 gation is by seed, and this had better be scattered in what may be 

 termed a " wild garden," and the plants left undisturbed. The peren- 

 nial species, however, may be raised in seed pans or frames, and the 

 plants transplanted when large enough for handling ; but the slow- 

 growth of seedling Gentians will try the patience of the most persever- 

 ing of propagators. 



Geraniacece (Geranium Family). A large order of about twenty 

 genera and over seven hundred species, widely distributed throughout 

 the temperate and semi-tropical regions of the whole world. The most 

 familiar genera are the Geranium, Pelargonium, Tropocolum and Oxalis. 

 The latter, however, belong to a distinct tribe Oxalidece of the order 

 Geraniacece. The true Geraniums are rather sparingly represented 

 among cultivated plants ; the most popular species and varieties that 

 arc commonly called geraniums are really Pelargoniums, such as tho 

 Zonale, Rose-scented, Nutmeg, Oak-leaved, Ivy-leaved, Scarlets and 

 Tricolors ; but as the species have become so intermingled by hybrid- 

 izing and crossing under cultivation, it is now very difficult to determino 

 the true parents of any of the older varieties. The Pelargoniums aro 

 all perennials, and more or less shrubby. New varieties are raised from 

 seed, which may be sown as soon as ripe, or preserved for several 

 months and then sown in rather light soil and covered with fine earth 

 sifted over them to the depth of not more than one-eighth of an inch. 

 The seeds usually germinate readily in a temperature of 60 to 70 

 degrees, and as soon as the plants have produced a second or third 

 pair of leaves they should be removed from the seed pans and potted 

 separately. With few exceptions, all the varieties in cultivation are 

 readily propagated by cuttings, made of the young succulent shoots, 

 planted in sand in an ordinary cool greenhouse ; a very high tem- 

 perature is not desirable for cuttings of Pelargoniums. One or two 

 good leaves should be left on the cutting ; but with very scarce and 

 rare varieties single-eye cuttings may be used, making these of rather 

 firm and mature shoots. Root cuttings may also be utilized in multi 



