1S1)9.] ESSAYS. 77 



.'ire well calloused. While they do not require as much shade 

 as soft cuttings, a little shade the first few weeks is beneficial. 

 After they are well (calloused they will not need any ; after 

 having rooted their treatment should l)e the same as that of 

 other plants. 



Many plants that are difficult to propagate by cuttings and are 

 wanted on their own roots can be had by layers. This is 

 prol)ably the surest way for an amateur, but it is slow ; but by 

 layering, many plants are had on their own roots which would be 

 almost impossible to get any other way. Layers are branches of 

 trees or shrubs either twisted or cut half-way through and buried 

 in the earth several inches, but not detached until they arc 

 rooted. Clematis, Magnolia, Rhododendron, Rose, Maple, Lin- 

 dens, Halesias, (Quinces, and in fact almost any plant can be 

 layered. Some root easily in a few weeks and others take 

 several years. Some layers, such as Clematis, Grape-vines and 

 Wistarias, can be layered at every few eyes as fast as they grow, 

 but this kind of layering needs to have the sap checked at every 

 place. You put it in the ground either by cutting half-way 

 through on the stem or twisting the branch so as to check the 

 flow of the sap. In most of the nurseries abroad, and some in 

 our own country, layering is carried on to a great extent. The 

 part of the nursery devoted to layering is usually called the stove 

 ground. Here two plants or sometimes several are planted in 

 groups three, four or more feet apart and layered every year or 

 every other year, as the case may be. Young clean wood of 

 the previous year is usually considered the best, so the plant is 

 grown and pruned so as to produce as much straight growth as 

 possible ; they are then bent down, turned or twisted or not, as 

 the case may be, and covered up with soil, and if the growth is 

 too rank the tops are pinched or pruned so as to regulate the 

 sap. In very dry seasons or in the case of choice plants these 

 layers are kept well watered and cultivated. It is not always 

 necessary to have a stove ground, for any branch or vine can be 

 brought down and the soil and conditions made good around it, 

 and success is sure to follow. The Magnolias, Maples, Rhodo- 

 dendrons, and other hard-wooded plants usually have to remain 



