GENERAL DIRECTIONS. 11 



small piece of the growth immediately preceding the last, 

 or ripened wood. They should be taken when the sap is 

 active, and about six joints or buds are sufficient. Cut 

 them with a sharp knife, transversely, and monthly, 

 near a bud or joint of previous growth, or between the 

 two last. Set them in rich ground, in a shady place, 

 leaving two or three joints or buds above the surface. 

 If the weather be dry, water them, and place old hay 

 about them, to keep the earth moist. If the cutting is 

 to be placed in a flower-pot, the vessel should be placed 

 in the earth, in a shady place, and the cutting covered 

 with an inverted glass for a short time, to preserve a 

 moist atmosphere about it. If they send out roots, they 

 will also soon send out branches, otherwise they die. 

 The month of April in our climate is peculiarly suitable 

 for propagating by cuttings. 



Some plants are very tenacious of life, and are easily 

 multiplied by cuttings ; others again are not at all 

 adapted to this mode. Many species of willow, currant, 

 sempervivum, (house-leek,) horseradish, &c., belong to 

 the. former. Layers are branches left on the parent 

 plant or shrub, and bent down and fastened several 

 inches below the surface of the ground. A flat stone 

 placed on the earth, immediately above the layer, is 

 useful to keep the earth cool and to retain the moisture. 

 When they have taken sufficient root, sever them from 

 the parent plant or shrub, and at any subsequent time 

 they may be transplanted. 



As to the cultivation of herbaceous plants and shrubs 

 in pots, a few directions may be necessary. The earth 

 should be kept moderately moist : the mould or earth 

 on the top should be dry before additional water be 

 given ; and as the plants placed in a window are in- ' 

 clined towards the light, the pots should frequently be 

 turned around, to prevent the plants from growing 

 crooked or inclined. If the plants are to stand in pots 

 for many years in succession, the earth should be taken 

 out in October, and the sides and bottom shaved off 



