CUTTINGS AND HOW TO STRIKE THEM 301 



general working rule, after the plant has reached its highest stage 

 of development. Cuttings that are best " struck " in spring, such 

 as fuchsias, dahlias and chrysanthemums, must have the assistance 

 of protection from frost and the stimulation of artificial heat ; 

 hardier subjects, such as shrubby calceolarias, violas, pansies 

 and pentstemons, provide strong plants if the cuttings be taken 

 during the months of September and October. 



And here the beginner may be assured that he need have no 

 hesitation in " taking " cuttings while any of the last-mentioned 

 group of plants is still in flower. Take the viola, for example. It 

 does no possible harm to a well-developed clump to take off a few 

 cuttings as early as the month of July, when it is flowering 

 prodigiously, and root them out of doors. The effect of reducing 

 the size of the parent plant is to give it increased vigour, and to 

 prolong its flowering period. 



The preparation of the cuttings is not a difficult matter if it be 

 remembered that the power of protruding buds or roots resides 

 chiefly at the joints, or those parts of the stem where leaves or 

 buds already exist. For this reason cuttings ought to be cut 

 across horizontally in the majority of cases, and in all cases the 

 closer to the joint this is done (providing the entire joint, with 

 the side eyes intact, is retained) the better is the chance of the 

 successful formation of roots. 



When inserting a cutting in the soil care should be taken to see 

 that its base rests firmly on the bottom of the hole that has been 

 made previously with a lead pencil or similar pointed piece of 

 stick. Unless this precaution is taken the cutting will hang 

 loosely in the hole and will rot off, because its base is not in contact 

 with the soil. Finn planting is also essential. Water should 

 be given copiously as soon as the planting has been completed, in 

 order to settle the cuttings in the soil. 



And now I come to the fourth question : " When the cuttings 

 are in the frame should the latter be kept closed ? " The answer 

 is : Yes, for a week or ten days immediately after the cuttings 

 are inserted. Afterwards, however, the subject of ventilation 

 will require judicious care. When the young cuttings have 



