THE POMEGRANATE ] 177 



Propagation by cuttings affords the easiest way 

 of multiplying the pomegranate. Cuttings are taken in 

 winter, from November to February, and may be of 

 any quality, but two-year old wood up to the thickness 

 of a lead-pencil, and about 20 c. m. in length answers 

 best for this purpose. The cuttings are planted in a 

 cool situation, about 20 c. m. apart and deep about f 

 of their length. They require no attention beyond 

 keeping the soil clear of weeds, and occasionally watering 

 them in dry weather. 



Layers are made in the usual way. The best 

 time for layering is when the tree is putting out the 

 new foliage in March and April, and in about six weeks 

 the layers will be sufficiently rooted to bear removal. 

 Most gardeners adopt a simpler and less troublesome 

 method of layering. The lower branches if of sufficient 

 length, are partly broken, and brought lower down, a 

 trench is opened and the branches are buried at a 

 depth of 10 to 20 c. m. leaving the extremities of the 

 twigs exposed. This operation is usually done in winter 

 or early spring, before the formation of new foliage. 

 By next winter every twig will be found to have 

 rooted, especially if the gardener has been careful to 

 water the layers a few times in summer. They may 

 then be removed and planted at their destination, but 

 of course will become much stronger if allowed to 

 remain for another year. Sometimes a whole tree is 

 thus layered, the stem being brought down by cutting 

 the roots on one side. By this means a large quantity 

 of plants can be raised, with very little trouble. 



Suckers thrown up by the tree, around its' base, 

 are often found rooted, and afford another ready way 

 of propagation. 



Grafting and budding as a method of propagation, 

 are hardly ever resorted to, except when it is desired 

 to change the quality of a tree already in existence, 

 or when it is desired to utilize wild pomegranates of 

 the sour type or seedlings of inferior quality. 



