farmers' miscellany. 307 



may be produced from cuttings, taken off without reference to 

 the bud. But this is the surest way. Sometimes a mere bud taken 

 off with a portion of bark attached to it, will take root, (fig. c.) 



Cuttings of some plants will root freely if merely placed at a 

 proper depth in any good soil, but on the other hand, the greater 

 number require more or less care, and some are made to root 

 with great difficulty. Such can only be grown to advantage in 

 a green-house. Many require the artificial heat of a hot-bed, in 

 which the pots must be sunk ; and indeed all will root sooner 

 in this way. But they should be removed as soon as they are 

 well establi^ed in their growth, to the open air. 



The best soil for cuttings is a tolerably rich one, with a free 

 mixture of white sand, to prevent its becoming packed and hard, 

 and to assist in draining it. A large proportion of powdered 

 charcoal will be found of great service. Indeed, it will be found 

 that in pure charcoal kept constantly wet, cuttings will grow more 

 jsure than in any other way, sometimes becoming rooted in a few 

 lays. Cuttings of some plants root better in pure sand. Fill a pot 

 ivithin an inch and a half of the top with earth, and on this place an 

 nch of sand. Through this sink the cutting, till the end just 

 ;ouches the earth. 



The pots in which cuttings are planted should be well drained, 

 50 as to carry off all superfluous moisture. For this purpose, a 

 )iece of broken pot should be placed over the hole in the bottom 

 ind a layer of the same upon it. On the top of this the earth 

 ;hould be put, to within a half inch of the top. In this the slips 

 ire to be planted, either in the centre, or which is better, at the 

 ;ides, so that they will touch the inner surface of the pot through- 

 )ut the whole length. This being porous will retain moisture, 

 md part with it slowly, so that there is little danger of drowning 

 hem. 



The following is an excellent plan : in the bottom of a large pot 

 )lace a layer of broken tiles, so deep, that a small pot set upon 

 hem in the middle, will be level at the top with the large one. 

 The bottom hole of the inner one is to be stopped tight with a 

 |;ork. Having placed them thus, fill the space around with good 

 oil in which the slips are to be planted, with their ends cut slant- 



