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ground, often in a sloping position, to within a couple of inches 

 of their tops. Then I firm the earth around them and drench 

 them with water. They should be kept warm and moist but not 

 too wet. If one could have bottom heat for the tenderer kinds 

 it would be a great advantage. Cuttings of most tropical things 

 must be rooted (unless one has a warm place) in the growing 

 season. Those of hardy plants can be rooted in winter. They 

 may go in a slat house or even a well-sheltered spot out of doors. 

 Great care should be exercised in lifting out rooted cuttings not 

 to break off the delicate roots. If a number are rooted in a pot 

 the ball of earth can be carefully turned out and the soil washed 

 from the roots. I prefer to let cuttings of wooded plants stand 

 until their roots have hardened a little before transplanting 

 them. 



Cuttings taken from plants growing in pots or boxes root much 

 more readily than those from plants which are growing in the 

 open ground. Cuttings of Oleanders, rose and zonale Geraniums 

 are often troubled with a blight, probably some sort of a fungus, 

 and either will not root or die soon after doing so. I know no 

 remedy for this but it might be a good idea to dip the cuttings in 

 Bordeaux mixture or sprinkle them with sulfur before putting 

 them in to root. Oleanders and some other hardy shrubs may 

 be rooted in winter by taking large cuttings, a half inch to an 

 inch in diameter, defoliating them and planting them to within 

 a couple of inches of their tops in damp ground. 



Layering may be successfully practiced with many things which 

 have branches near the ground, or as is sometimes done, with 

 small limbs at some distance above the ground by making a stage 

 on which to set a pot or box filled with soil. It is better to cut a 

 slit in the branch, holding it open with a bit of wood. Make an 

 excavation in the earth and bury the cut part a few inches in it, 

 fastening the limb down if necessary with a small wooden fork. 

 If the ground becomes dry it is well to water it. 



Some things, including most of the Ficus, are best propagated 

 by air layering. Prepare a small limb on the tree in the same way 

 as for ground layering, wrap it wen with sphagnum, tying it on 

 thoroughly. This should be done during the rainy season; if 

 it gets dry water should be applied. In a few weeks roots will 



