22 Practical Forestry 



advantage be added. The same principle is carried out in 

 all kinds of layering, but the position of the plant will alter 

 the method of bending over and bringing in contact with the 

 soil. In the case of layering coniferae it is not only 

 necessary to bend over and peg down the branch, but, so as 

 to form a leader and assist in gaining an upright position, 

 it should also be tied or staked in a vertical position. Gener- 

 ally speaking, trees and shrubs require two years before the 

 branches that are layered are sufficiently well rooted to be 

 removed from the parent, but a few kinds require nearly 

 double that time before they can be severed with safety. 

 A good plan is, after the second or third year, to cut through 

 the layered branch behind the point that is brought in 

 contact with the ground, and to let it remain in position 

 for another year. It may then, except in a very few cases, 

 be lifted and lined out with others in the nursery border, 

 the object being to get it into a good habit of growth before 

 being finally planted out. 



Most varieties of trees and shrubs can readily be increased 

 by layering the side branches in the way above described, 

 and it is a good plan to cover over with a spadeful of earth 

 that part of the branch brought in contact with the ground. 



By Grafting. This may best be described as a make- 

 shift method of increasing trees and shrubs. It has only a 

 few advantages, and many disadvantages, as is well known 

 to every one on a large estate who goes in for collections of 

 the less common kinds of trees and shrubs. 



If a plant cannot be increased conveniently by any of the 

 above methods grafting may be resorted to, but the work 

 should only be entrusted to those who have great practical 

 knowledge of the art, and who have paid particular attention 

 to the evils attending injudicious grafting. Some of the 

 errors in grafting may be cited as follows : Working on too 

 tall stocks whereby an unnatural appearance and continual 

 source of danger in windy weather are brought about ; 

 grafting small scions on large stocks, and grafting evergreen 

 on deciduous species all of which have tended, in a marked 

 degree, to lower the art in the opinion of horticulturists 

 generally. 



