78 



THE BEGINNER'S GARDEN BOOK 



slanting. Then some of the leaves should be stripped, and 

 the rest trimmed a little, so as to leave for each cutting but a 



few inches of leaf. These 

 cuttings should set in the 

 sand to a depth of about 

 two inches, and the sand 

 kept wet and warm until 

 the cuttings have struck 

 root. They may stand 

 pretty close together, and 

 occasionally, after about 

 ten days, one or more may 

 be examined to see if the 

 roots have started. When 

 the end of the cutting has 

 healed over, roots are sure 



FiG.45. Softwood cutting, a geranium. to gtart gOQn 

 Line shows depth to plant. 



The box of cuttings 



should be kept in a room that is warm in the daytime, and 

 never less than 50 degrees at night. It should have plenty 

 of light, but should be shaded 

 from the hot sun except for a 

 little while each day. The 

 cuttings start best if heat is 

 applied below, by setting the 

 box on a radiator. And they 

 may be helped if the box is set 

 in another, with glass laid on 

 top. But the air in this outer 



FIG. 46. Box for starting cuttings. 

 Do not keep it too moist. 



box should not be kept too 



moist, for fear of disease; and so the glass should not be 



tight, and should be occasionally entirely removed. 



From such plants as the begonia and gloxinia, cuttings 



