INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 



HE ability to grow and multiply is characteristic of all 

 life. The object of the life of every plant is to perpetuate 

 its kind. 



Flowers bloom with color and perfume in order that 

 they may better produce their seeds. Plants spread their stems in 

 the air and their roots in the soil in order to improve their chances 

 in their struggle with the other plants on every hand, and to 

 dominate the earth as much as possible. 



Darwin realized this struggle for existence and concluded that 

 every fragrance, color, spine, tuber and adaptation contributes 

 toward the natural ability of the plant to live. 



Nature eliminates the weak, overwhelming those that cannot 

 stand the cold or heat, those susceptible to attacks of insect and 

 fungus and those that cannot compete with their neighbors in 

 reproductive powers. 



Man shelters his favorites from the cold; improves their natural 

 multiplication; supplies them with proper soil; gives them the 

 environment of their natural homes, or improves upon it; places 

 them on stronger roots and even crosses them to make combinations 

 to meet his fancy. He produces the large fruits and the double 

 flowers at the expense of seed production but he supplies another 

 means of existence for the plant. 



Men have noted that when, through accidents, the tops of plants 

 become broken, they often root to form a new individual; how, 

 when roots are cut, often a new plant grows from them; that when 

 clumps of plants are broken up, each part produces a good plant; 

 that trees may rub against each other and be naturally grafted. 

 Men have merely imitated Nature. A careful study of a plant will 

 indicate its method of propagation. 



There are two considerations in the propagation of plants: 

 the art, and the science. The art is the craft or ability to multiply 

 plants; the science tells why each operation is done. One is the 

 practice; the other the theory. Each helps the other. 



The gardener learns much from doing, but books lead him to see 

 the reasons for his practice. 



