196 AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 



enough strong roots to hold them securely ; they are generally 

 also much longer in attaining size than those raised from seed, 

 or grafted on seedling stocks. 



Cuttings of currants, gooseberries, etc., are made from one 

 or more buds of the last year's growth, and should not be taken 

 from very near the point of the young shoots, but so far down 

 as to secure some firmness in the wood, and little pith. In 

 general, also, it is better to take them from the horizontal 

 branches which issue from near the root than from the central 

 upright growth. 



BUD CUTTINGS. 



Fig. 81. 



a. Bud Cutting with sealed ends. 

 fc. Bud Cutting divided lengthwise. 



A bud cutting consists of a single bud, with an inch or so of 

 the stem left on each side of it, which may be sealed at the 

 ends with pitch or grafting composition, as Fig. 81 a, though this 

 is not essential ; or it may be divided lengthwise, as shown 

 above, Fig. 816. Three or four of these may be set, with the bud 

 in position to start upward, about an inch deep, around the in- 

 side edge of a quart garden-pot in rich earth, or each bud may 

 be put singly into a half-pint pot, which is preferable. Early 

 in the season place them in a gentle hot bed to start them. 

 After they begin to grow and the weather becomes warm, the 

 glass may be removed, and, if they are carefully watered and 

 shaded, it will be safe to set them out in the open ground in 

 June, or they can be transferred to larger pots, as may be de- 

 sired. Single bud cuttings were largely used some years ago 

 for producing morus multicaulis, but are now resorted to al- 

 most exclusively for increasing rapidly choice varieties of the 

 grape. 



