PROPAGATION. 117 



sorts may be obtained, but the chances of this are 

 so remote that only the scientific cross-fertilizer will 

 care to take the chances of throwing away a life 

 for the ideal fruit that will probably never come, 

 if at all, in any other manner. 



The apple and all stone fruits will also succeed 

 better if planted in the fall in moist ground, and 

 covered as the judgment will direct, and the soil 

 firmly pressed down upon them. Sometimes stones 

 of the peach, plum, etc. , will remain in the ground 

 till the second year before germinating. 



By Cuttings. This consists of planting a shoot 

 of the last season's growth which under -favorable 

 circumstances will emit roots and grow. The 

 currant, gooseberry and grape are readily grown in 

 this way, though for the amateur it will be found 

 more successful to propagate all but the first 

 named by layering, or "patting down," which is 

 described below. 



The best manner to treat the currant is to cut 

 the young shoots as soon in the fall as the leaves 

 fall, and cut them into lengths of 7 or 8 inches, 

 plant them immediately in deeply plowed rich 

 land, putting them in the whole depth, and firming 

 the soil about them. In this manner they will 

 make roots before freezing weather of from 2 to 4 

 inches long, and will make fine plants the next 

 season. They may also be grown by planting in the 

 same way in the spring, but not so well. If "trees" 

 are desired cut out all the buds but 2 or 3 at the top 

 before planting. Many other trees and shrubs can 



