Raising Stock by Propagation 



Cuttings require for striking somewhat the same con- 

 ditions as seeds need for germinating, viz., a sufficiency of 

 heat and moisture. For this purpose an open, sandy soil 

 is essential. If any reader is doubtful of this essential let 

 him experiment for himself by preparing two cuttings, 

 equal in every way, and insert one in clay, the other in 

 sandy soil, and watch the result. It is doubtful whether 

 the cutting in clay will root at all, but certain it is the other 

 will do so far more quickly. The conclusion arrived at is 

 that there is too much moisture in the clay. It is likewise 

 too cold, and the air cannot reach the base of the cutting. 

 It is not in all cases essential that the cutting has attached 

 to it a growing shoot. Cuttings of currants, for example, 

 may be made by cutting off pieces about six inches in 

 length, even though two or even three cuttings be taken 

 from the same branch. The part buried should be 

 sufficient to keep them erect, and to prevent their being 

 blown over. If a large number of cuttings, such as of 

 roses, currants, &c., are to be put in, a trench may be cut 

 out as depicted in Fig. 84, and, after sprinkling sand along, 

 the cuttings should be placed against the line, and the soil 

 thrown back and well firmed around the cutting. In other 

 cases a dibber is used. This may be formed of any sound 

 stick of sufficient size, but instead of being brought to a 

 sharp point, as is usually done, it should be blunt ; in fact, 

 its bluntness should bear some relation to that at the base 

 of the cutting, so that the cutting rests always on the 

 bottom of the hole. Each cutting should be firmed indi- 

 vidually, so that when gently pulled by a leaf it will not 

 readily leave the soil. In some species of plants it is 

 necessary to take off a heel of the old wood, as it is found 

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