CHAPTER VII. 



THE KIND OF WOOD TO USE. HOW TO PREPARE THE 



SAND-BED. ENGRAVING SHOWING TWO HUNDRED 



CUTTINGS ONE EYE LONG. DIRECTIONS FOR WATER- 

 ING THE SAND-BED, &C. 



THE wood best adapted for cuttings is that of the 

 present season's growth. That is, shoots which have been 

 made in the spring, can be used for cuttings in the fall. 



In taking cuttings from the parent plant, allow one or 

 two eyes of this season's growth to remain, to produce 

 new wood and flowering shoots for the next year. 



All unripened wood should be discarded. Use none 

 but good, healthy, strong shoots for cuttings. 



Never take wood from a sickly plant ; for one un- 

 healthy cutting often ruins the whole stock in the sand- 

 bed. See that the cuttings are free from all pests, such 

 as red spider, mealy bug, scale, &c. 



Many persons fail to root cuttings by neglecting the 

 very important matter of having the sand solid and firm 

 on the bench. 



If the directions have been followed, to have the sand 

 pressed solid and firm, it will be necessary to draw a line 

 across the bed, to make an opening for the cuttings ; after 

 placing them in this opening, press, with the finger, the 

 sand firmly around the cuttings. 



The firmer and more solid the sand is made, the 



