CUTTINGS 



63 



Some propagators argue that the leaves should not be removed, 

 because the lower ones aid in the manufacture of food and they, 

 as well as the stem, may root. If the leaves are not removed the 

 cuttings should be placed in a Wardian case or under a bell jar. 

 By retaining the leaves the cutting is saved the effort of healing the 

 wounds necessarily made. For some species it will be best to remove 

 most of the leaves, and for others it will not be advisable to disturb 

 them in any way. 



Glass 



Fig. 17. Propagating case. Shows cuttings inserted in the sand of a propagating 



case. The glass at the top confines the air. Such a case is useful in propagating 



many conservatory plants 



Most amateurs blunder by desiring a large plant at the start and 

 failing to shorten the cuttings enough. In other words, too long a 

 cutting will be difficult to root and may make an unshapely plant. 

 Never allow flower buds to remain on a cutting; they will only 

 exhaust its vitality. 



As soon as the cuttings are made they should be dropped into 

 a pail of water or wrapped in moist paper to keep them fresh. They 

 should not be kept in the water too long, however, else the bark 

 will be loosened. From time to time, as sufficient cuttings are made, 

 they should be placed in the cutting bench. 



Half-ripe wood is a term applied to material used in propagating 

 shrubs, principally. It designates that condition of the stem be- 

 ween soft, new growth and the hard, woody condition of Winter. 



