STRIKING CUTTINGS 31 



In taking cuttings, always write the label or tally first, and 

 as soon as the cuttings are taken off, tie them and the label 

 securely, but not too firmly, together. Take them to the 

 frame in which they are to be inserted as soon as possible, 

 and put them in the shade. If the operator is a real gardener 

 he will take off his coat and put the little bundles of cuttings 

 carefully under it. Open one bundle and insert the label 

 at the bottom left-hand corner of the frame, and put in the 

 cuttings in a row behind it, working up the frame at about 

 3 inches from the edge and about 3 inches between each 

 cutting, which should be inserted with the dibber about an 

 inch and a half deep, and made very firm at the base so 

 firm that it can hardly be pulled out. This is one of the 

 great secrets of success in striking all sorts of cuttings. 

 When a variety is finished, leave a space of 6 inches, then 

 insert another label, and go on as before, dibbling in the 

 cuttings behind the label. When the first row is finished, 

 mark another row with the straight-edge by pressing it into 

 the soil 3 or 4 inches away from the first row. Come 

 right to the bottom of the frame again and work up as 

 before. After all have been inserted, give a thorough 

 drenching with water from a watering-pot with a fine rose. 

 Shut up the frame quite close, and if it is in a position to 

 get direct sunshine the simplest way to obviate danger of 

 the cuttings getting shrivelled is to give the inside of the 

 glass a coat of thin whitewash. 



