Proj)agation of Stove and, Greenhouse Exotics. 357 



that laid np in the leaves. The state of the wood most favor- 

 able for layers is that of a medium state for ripeness ; both 

 wood and bark should be softish and not too ripe ; and. above 

 all, in a perfectly healthy state. The month of May is a 

 favorable time for performing this work. Shoots or branches 

 properly situated for layering, should be brought down gently, 

 slit, and inserted into the pot of the parent plant ; but when 

 this is not convenient, let pots be filled with the soil in which 

 the plants love to ramble, and placed conveniently near for 

 the purpose : let them be secured firmly with wooden pegs, 

 and cover them about two inches or so with suitable soil, 

 over which let a little moss, or mowings of short grass, be 

 placed to keep the earth moist. This done, give all a good 

 soaking of water, which must be repeated regularly when 

 necessary. As soon as roots are found to protrude, an occa- 

 sional watering with clear liquid manure would be of great 

 benefit to the young layer. At any rate, we are certain it 

 would not do injury, and, therefore, might be applied without 

 risk. By attending to the above hints, the shoots will be 

 eflectually rooted, and ready for potting off by the end of the 

 summer, but, should there be any not sufiiciently rooted, they 

 must be allowed to remain till the following spring. 



Lettek v. Propagation hy Inarching. 



When it is desired to inarch any particular kind of Exotic, 

 the stock to be grafted on, as well as the plant from which the 

 graft is to be taken, must stand sufficiently near each other to 

 allow the branch, as it grows on the parent plant, to approach 

 and join readily to that part of the stock where it is desired 

 to be worked on, forming a kind of arch, for the graft is not 

 intended to be cut off till sonif time after performing the ope- 

 ration ; nor is the head of the stock intended to be cut off 

 till there is a perfect union between the two. The Citrus, 

 Punica, and similar exotic genera, are often propagated by 

 this mode, on stocks raised from pips ; and some genera, such 

 as the Magnolia, Camell/'a, &c. &c., are generally worked on 

 the commoner sorts, and sometimes three or four sorts on one 

 stock ; in fact, 1 have seen as many as twelve varieties of the 

 camellia on one stock, which was, indeed, a varied and im- 

 posing object when in flower. 



