Propagation by Cuttings. 261 



In some kinds of plants, it is necessary to take lateral shoots, 

 and these should be slipped off, so as to have with them the 

 axillary formation of the bud and vessels of the leaf. Of these, 

 the gnaphalums, helichrysums, burchellias, loganias, da- 

 viesias, and some banksias, are instances, some of which will 

 not strike otherwise. The cause of this is, I expect, that the 

 heel consists of wood, more or less ripened, and is not so likely 

 to damp off after planting. However, let this not lead the 

 young propagator to believe that he must have wood of these 

 sorts thoroughly ripened (such is not the case) : A medium 

 state is the best and surest. The cuttings of succulent plants, 

 and, in fact, all fleshy plants, should lie exposed in an airy 

 place for some time after being severed from their parent, 

 that their juices may become dried ; for, if put in in a fresh 

 state, the ends of the cuttings soon turn black and rot, where- 

 by the expectations of the propagator are frustrated. Of these, 

 the cactus tribe are instances, as well as the milky tribe, such 

 as the succulent euphorbias, all of which are full of milky 

 juices. 



The sized pots I have been in the habit of using as prop- 

 agating pots, are those of five inches diameter, and three 

 and a half deep. Over the hole in the bottom, I put a large 

 piece of broken pot or oyster shell, over which I place some 

 finely broken crocks about the size of peas, and on this I put 

 a little rough soil or moss, then my compost, composed of two 

 thirds peat and one third mellow loam, with a little sand to 

 keep the soil porous, that all superabundant moisture may 

 freely drain off. With these materials, I fill my pots to with- 

 in an inch or so of the top, and this inch I fill up with fine 

 silver sand ; give all a gentle watering with a fine rose wa- 

 tering pot, when they are ready for my cuttings. If the pot 

 is well drained, this preparation will answer for most sorts of 

 cuttings ; the sand on top retains just sufficient moisture for 

 the well-being of the cuttings, and no more ; and the soil be- 

 low the sand furnishes nourishment to the roots as soon as 

 they penetrate through the sand. The shallower cuttings are 

 planted, if they are well fastened, the sooner and better will 

 they root, and there is less danger of their rotting or damp- 

 ing off. From half an inch to an inch and a quarter may be 

 considered a medium length to be inserted ; for ericas, epa- 



