78 PRACTICAL PLANT PROPAGATION 



Care of the cuttings when rooted. After the cuttings have com- 

 pleted their rooting, which will be some time in June, they may 

 safely he given a good supply of fresh air daily and an even coating 

 of whitewash should be sprayed over the top of the propagating 

 house to prevent any danger of sun scalding the tender young top 

 growth which has developed. 



The flats in which the cuttings are growing can now be removed 

 from the house and placed directly on the ground in a partially 

 shaded frame out of doors. The fresh air and sunlight stimulate 

 good, healthy root action and reduce the danger of loss from decay- 

 ing roots, which always causes serious loss throughout the Summer 

 when cuttings are not given the most natural growing conditions. 

 The cuttings must remain in the flats until the following Spring 

 when they are in a perfect condition for potting or planting in beds. 



Outdoor frame cuttings. Some varieties of conifer cuttings are 

 successfully rooted in frames out of doors during the Midsummer 

 and late Summer season. The frames are built slightly below the 

 surface of the ground. The soil is removed from inside the frame 

 to allow for one foot of stable manure for supplying the required 

 heat. The frame should be constructed to prevent the entrance of 

 air currents through any cracks or openings. The top of the board 

 or concrete forming the sides of the frame must be level and smooth 

 so that the glass sash fits perfectly. A light frame is built at a 

 height of 4 feet above the top of each frame as a support for the mus- 

 lin shade. Fresh stable manure is firmly packed in the bottom of 

 the frame and soaked with water. This will supply steady, even 

 bottom heat for the cuttings. The sand is now spread evenly in the 

 frame to a depth of 4 inches and the frame is ready for cuttings. 



Soft wood and half ripe wood cuttings. The cuttings are made 

 from young wood in a partly ripened condition. Experience has 

 shown that cuttings made from side branches root equally as well, 

 under this method of propagation, as leading shoots. The cuttings 

 are planted in the sand and thoroughly watered, after which the 

 close fitting glass sash is placed over the top of the frame and the 

 muslin shade placed over the supports to prevent any direct sun- 

 light from falling on the tops of the newly made cuttings. Air is not 

 admitted into the frame until the cuttings have started rooting. 

 Some varieties root in three weeks while others require two months. 



All cuttings should be well rooted before heavy freezing occurs. 

 The best treatment for cuttings rooted in outdoor frames, is to pot 

 them up in October and place in a cool greenhouse or heated frame 

 over Winter. There is always danger of heavy loss with conifer 

 cuttings propagated in this manner if left in the frames over Winter. 



