62 The Garden. 



the idea of making layers. A twig growing out of a tree, at a 

 point not far from the ground, is bent down, and the middle 

 portion of it buried just under the surface of the soil, and fast- 

 ened there by means of a hooked peg, or by a stone or turf 

 placed above it. Success is rendered more certain by checking 

 the downward flow of the sap. This may be accomplished by 

 cutting a slice off the under side of the part of the twig that is 

 placed under ground, or, more perfectly, by entering the knife 

 on the under side at this point, and splitting the twig upward 

 about one or two inches, fastening the split open with a little 

 wedge or pebble. The sap accumulating at this point induces 

 the throwing out of roots, and the conversion of the shoot into 

 a new plant. Trees or shrubs purposely headed down for 

 raising layers are called stools. A single quince-bush, thus 

 made into a stool^ and its twigs layered, is capable of producing 

 many finely-rooted plants in a single season. Of some kinds 

 of layers nearly every bud will form roots of its own. 



3. Cuttings. — Cuttings are shoots removed from the parent 

 tree or plant without roots. The branches nearest the ground 

 are considered best for cuttings, as the tendency to throw out 

 roots is greater in them than in those more elevated. They 

 should be cut off just below a joint. Some species, however, 

 as the willow, the currant, etc., will throw out roots from any 

 part of the stem, and generally succeed with even the most 

 careless planting. The best time to take off cuttings is in No- 

 vember, but in a cold climate they are more likely to succeed 

 if kept in damp mold in a cellar, and not planted till spring. 

 In planting, bury them to the second joint, leaving one or two 

 joints above the surface of the soil. Press the earth com- 

 pactly about the lower end. Cuttings of delicate plants are 

 generally struck (rooted) in pots, and sometimes it is necessary 

 to cover them with a bell-glass, to prevent too rapid evaporation. 



4. Slijis. — Slips are cuttings made from the root or collar of 

 a plant, or branches stripped off, with a small portion of the 

 root or stem attached. They are treated like other cuttings. 

 Many kinds of fruit-trees may be readily propagated by slips. 



