340 



AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



a few small pieces of charcoal have been dropped to keep it 

 pure. One or the other of the foregoing methods is, however, 

 usually more satisfactory. 



For several days after the cuttings are put into the sand 

 they should be kept shaded during the hottest part of the 

 day. If they show any tendency to wilt give them an 

 occasional sprinkling with a plant sprinkler or, if that is not 

 at hand, with a clothes sprinkler or a wet whisk broom. 



The sand itself, however, 

 will not need another 

 watering for some days 

 not until it begins to dry 

 out on the surface. The 

 ends of the cuttings callus 

 over before any roots be- 

 come visible, and during 

 this stage the cuttings are 

 likely to rot if the sand is 

 kept too moist. 



If possible give the cut- 

 tings box bottom heat. Set 

 it up on two or three blocks or bricks on a radiator, or sup- 

 port it over a register. If neither of these is possible a simple 

 propagating arrangement may easily be made as follows: 

 Line a cracker box (A) with cheap tin, or old metal roofing, 

 cutting in the bottom a number of large holes with an auger 

 or with an expansive bit. To this bottom nail a six-inch 

 section of another cracker box or a shallow cooky box (B). 

 Cut a section from one side of the whole box for a door (C), 

 holding it in place with leather straps or cheap hinges. 

 Make this door large enough to admit an ordinary hand 

 lamp (D) or a small oil stove so that it can be put in and 

 taken out conveniently. Bore a small hole in the door so 

 you can see the flame of the lamp when it is in place. 



