CUTTAGE. 



6 1 



splinters thrust through the ribs. The wound made by the peg 

 induces the formation of roots and a young plant arises. A 

 half dozen or more plants can be obtained from 

 one leaf. Some operators cut off the ribs, in- 

 stead of wounding them with a prick. Many 

 gardeners prefer to divide the leaf -into two 

 nearly equal parts, and then set each part, or the 

 better one, upright in the soil, the severed edge 

 being covered. This is shown in Fig. 60. Fewer 

 plants often only one are obtained in this 

 manner, but they are strong. 



When stock is scarce the leaf may be cut into 

 several fan-shaped pieces. The whole leaf may 

 be divided into as many triangular portions as 

 can be obtained with a portion of the petiole, a 

 strong rib, or vein at the base ; these inserted 

 and treated like coleus cuttings will all root and 

 make good plants within a reasonable time, say 

 six months. This form of cutting should be 

 two to three inches long by an inch or inch and 

 one-half wide. Ordinarily, in this style of leaf- 

 cutting, the petiole or stalk is cut off close to the 

 leaf and the lower third or fourth of the leaf is 

 then cut off by a nearly straight cut across the 

 leaf. This somewhat triangular base is then cut 

 into as many 

 Fig. 58. Clipped wedg e - s h a p e d 



Weigela cutting. 



p i eces 



as there 



are ribs in the leaf, 

 each rib forming the 

 center of a cutting. 

 The point of each cut- 

 ting should contain a 

 portion of the petiole. 

 The points of these 

 triangular portions are 

 inserted in the soil a half inch or so, the cutting standing erect 



Fig. 60. A upright Begonia leaf cutting. 



