PROPAGATION AND RAISING. 135 



inside so as to sever the bark, but no deeper, which will 

 facilitate the emission of roots : the pot may be then filled 

 lip with earth, and suspended in a very convenient posi- 

 tion, and if kept moist will soon be filled with roots ; after 

 which it may be cut away and treated as other stock. 

 Fig. 26 is an example of this kind of layering. 



Grafting can be only considered as just coming within 

 the scope of propagation, the object being not so much to 

 increase the number of plants, as the changing 01 one 

 kind on to the root or stock of another. It is generally 

 adopted to obtain a superior or more favorite variety than 

 the one that is occupying some particular spot, and has 

 been recommended as capable of increasing the hardi- 

 ness of the future plant, providing that the stock is of 

 that nature ; the theory being, that a hardy sort imparts 

 a portion of its character to the new parts. There is 

 no doubt some advantage gained by the process, but 

 it must not be put down for certain that a native root 

 will so far alter the constitution of the exotic as to 

 make it prosper out of doors under all circumstances, 

 and in all situations where the former would thrive, all 

 that will or can be gained is the greater hardihood of the 

 roots, which may in some cases give a more steady or un- 

 interrupted flow to the branches, and consequently a better 

 chance of resisting that bane to the exotic grape-vine, the 

 excessive climatic changes. It is a method that is of no 

 service excepting for the above reasons, as young and 

 healthy plants will answer a better purpose generally. 



As the grape-vine is subject to " bleed," if cut early in 

 the season, and does not do so after the leaves are ex- 

 panded, it is necessary to defer the operation until growth 

 has somewhat progressed ; or, rather, it gives the greater 

 certainty of success. And as the same heat that excites 

 the stock into activity will also start the intended scions 



