CHAPTER 111. 



PROPAGATION 



Assuming the old plants (stock plants) have been cared for and are 

 in proper condition, the next step is the propagation of young plants. Tlila 

 is best done with soft wood cuttings or divisions; the former, however, 

 are generally used. 



Cutting Bench The cutting bench is simply a table or bench con- 

 structed to hold three or four inches of material into which the cuttings 

 may be inserted. Clean washed sand is considered the best material, but 

 when unavailable, coke, brick or stone, finely crushed and screened, will 

 give very satisfactory results. After the bench is filled with sand, it 

 should be pounded as firm as possible and given a thorough watering 

 when it is ready for use. In preparing these benches, see that all material 

 is clean and free from decaying matter, and to this end a coat of white- 

 wash will be beneficial. 



FIG. 1. CUTTING BENCH TAMP. 



Selection of Cuttings In the selection of cuttings, it is generally 

 conceded the strong and vigorous are the best. Stock properly handled 

 will give good cuttings, and we would rake weak ones only when absolutely 

 necessary. 



Makitiff Cuttings These are cut from an inch to three- inches long, 

 removing the lower and shortening the tips of the larger leaves. See Fig. 2. 



With a knife make a cut in the sand % in. dee]), or more, according 

 to length of cuttings, inserting close together and firm the sand well about 

 them. Give the whole a liberal watering and keep constantly wet until 

 rooted, which will require six to twenty days. 



To insure the largest percentage, the cuttings should be moderately 

 soft at the time they are removed from the plant. Single eye cuttings of 

 new and scarce sorts may be used when necessary. These are fastened 

 to toothpicks with fine stemming wire, allowing half of the toothpick to 



