SECT. XVII T. OF FLOWERS, 311 



The deciduous shrubs that are most usually culti- 

 vated for their ornamental nature, will be found in 

 the lists of the next section; and their modes of 

 propagation are denoted thus : b. budding -. cut- 

 tings g. graff/. layers r. roots s. seeds si. 

 slips su. suckers by r. roots, includes offsets. 



Of the various methods of propagating trees and 

 shrubs, that "by seed is the best, where it can be 

 adopted (as has been observed) and the season is 

 autumn or spring. If in autumn, it may be earlier, 

 or later, as the seeds ripen ; for soon after they are 

 ripe is the most proper time to commit them to the 

 earth, covering the smaller seeds from half to a full 

 inch ; kernels, nuts, &c. from two to three inches, 

 according to their size. Any sort that it is doubted 

 will stand the winter in seed-beds, may be sown in 

 pots, or boxes, set in a garden frame or housed in 

 severe frosts. If in spring, (as it is a good rule to 

 sow a little at both seasons, and some tender sorts 

 require the latter) the seed must be carefully kept 

 from damp and vermin, and put into the ground to- 

 wards the end of February, or early in March. The 

 seeds of some of the more delicate sorts will require 

 to be sown, at this season, on a slight hot-bed ; and 

 if a few of most of the sorts were thus treated, it 

 would be a good method, to insure their germination, 

 and to forward them. Let spring sown seeds be 

 watered occasionally, according to the weather, to 

 keep them moist. The earth they are sown in should 

 be moderately light, dry, and rich, and formed into 

 beds of four feet wide, either in drills, or at broad- 

 cast, first drawing earth off into the alleys, to cover 

 with. See p. 72, 74. 



, American trees and shrubs do very well in this 

 climate, but the young plants are generally tender, 

 and should have some protection, one, two, or three 

 years, till they get woody, and inured to the climate. 



