Raising Stock by Propagation 



it in the stock ; tie moderately tight with wool or matting, 

 but in such a way as not to bruise the shoot ; do not cut 

 off the upper part of the shoot until the bud is found to 

 have " taken " ; loosen the matting or wool when it appears 

 to be too tight. Propagation by means of leaves is by no 

 means common with outside plants, but is very effective 

 with many indoor ones. We might take the instance of 

 many begonias, of gloxinias, gesneras, saintpaulias, &c., 

 which are often increased by mature leaves being nipped 

 off and inserted in sandy soil. 



Layering. 



Many plants also submit to this form of increase. 

 Among them we may notice carnations, strawberries, &c. 

 These two differ somewhat in their manner. It is found 

 that carnations root more readily and afford better results 

 when the cuttings are not wholly detached from the old 

 plant, but are cut half-way through and then split some 

 way up and inserted in sandy soil. The method of layer- 

 ing in a strawberry differs, for here a runner is thrown out, 

 and after covering some space, culminates in a small plant 

 which only needs contact with moist soil to cause it to emit 

 roots. This is done when we set round a strawberry plant 

 several pots of suitable soil, and press the embryo plant 

 into them, keeping it in place by means of a stone, or peg, 

 or similar device. A great number of plants can be in- 

 creased in this way, and surely it is cheaper to work up our 

 own stock than to provide others with a large dividend for 

 the purpose of so doing. 



