56 AGRICULTURE FOR BEGINNERS 



disposal. The utmost care will not produce a fine plant if 

 we start from poor stock. 



What qualities are most desirable in a plant from which 

 cuttings are to be taken ? First, it should be productive, 

 hardy, and fit for your climate and your needs ; second, it 

 should be healthy. Do not take cuttings from a diseased 



FIG. 42. GERANIUM CUTTING 

 Showing depth to which cutting should be planted 



plant, since the cutting may carry the disease, as it often 

 does in the case of the chrysanthemum and carnation. 



Cuttings may be taken from various parts of the plant, 

 sometimes even from parts of the leaf, as in the begonia 

 (Fig. 46). More often, however, they are drawn from parts 

 of the stem (Figs. 43, 44, 45). As to the age of the twig 

 from which the cutting is to be taken, Professor Bailey 



