CHAPTER V 



HOW THE HORTICULTURIST PROPAGATES PLANTS BY 

 MEANS OF ROOTS AND STEMS 



61. Cuttings in General. A bit of plant stuck into the 

 ground stands a chance of growing; and this bit is a cutting. 

 (Compare 51.) Not all plants can be propagated by the same 

 kind of cutting. The means is determined by experiment or 

 experience. In some cases the part to be used and the con- 

 ditions necessary for growing the cutting have not been dis- 

 covered, and we say that the plant is not propagated by 

 cuttings. It is probable that some plants cannot be grown 

 from cuttings, even under the greatest skill. 



62. Most plants propagate from cuttings made of the 

 soft or growing parts (called "wood" by gardeners), of which 

 the "slips" of geranium and coleus are examples. Others 

 grow equally well from cuttings of the hard or mature 

 parts or wood, as currant and grape; and hi some instances 

 this mature wood may be of roots, as in the blackberry. 

 Pupils should make cuttings now and then. If they can 

 do nothing more, they can make cuttings of potato, as the 

 farmer does; and they can plant them in a 



box in the window. 



63. The Softwood Cutting. The soft- 

 wood cutting is made from tissue that is 

 still growing, or at least from that which 

 is not dormant. It comprises one or two 

 joints, with a leaf attached. (Figs. 33, 

 34, 35.) It must not be allowed to wilt. 

 Therefore, it must be protected from 

 direct sunlight and dry air until it is well 



(23) 



33. Geranium cutting. 



