XXV. PROPAGATION OF PLANTS 



OF all the duties that devolve upon the farmer there is none of 

 more importance than that of propagating plants, but this subject 

 has never been given the serious attention by some farmers that 

 it deserves. Mr. Luther Burbank, in the development of edible 

 and thornless cactus and the world-renowned Burbank potato, has 

 shown that we have much yet to hope for, in the way of discover- 

 ies concerning the propagation and reproduction of plants. 



Plants may be propagated in five different ways: (1) by seed- 

 ing; (2) cutting; (3) budding; (4) grafting; (5) layering. 



The object of propagation is: (1) to renew the generation or 

 prevent the stock from becoming extinct; (2) to increase the num- 

 ber of plants; (3) to develop new varieties under certain condi- 

 tions; (4) to fix and perpetuate a special variety; (5) to strengthen 

 and improve the fixed variety of any species. 



Propagation by Seed. This is the common method of propa- 

 gating plants, and its success will depend largely upon the judg- 

 ment we exercise in the selection of seed. The quality of the seed 

 will depend upon their purity and vitality. 



Purity. One of the first requisites of good seed is absolute 

 purity. It not infrequently happens that the seed we buy is 

 mixed with the seed of weeds and other injurious plants, and much 

 damage results in this way. In selecting our seed it is always best 

 to buy from some reliable seed house, even if the price is much 

 higher than that made by other houses of doubtful reputation. 

 It takes time and considerable trouble to examine seed for purity, 

 but it is sure to result in a great saving in the end. The vitality 

 and purity of seed may be learned as follows : (1) by sowing a given 

 number of the seed in a small space and noting the percentage 

 which sprout; (2) close examination of the seed with the eye; 



(3) by examining the seed with a magnifying glass or microscope; 



(4) by the sense of touch in expert samplers and testers. 

 Vitality. Sometimes our seed may be absolutely pure and 



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