Propagation. 3 1 



indeed with great difficulty by budding and grafting, may be propa- 

 gated readily by layers. 



When roots are freely emitted, as from the grape, simply bending 

 the middle of the branch into the soil is enough to insure success. 

 But in cases of difficulty, other expedients are resorted to ; one of 

 the most common is to split a portion upwards, immediately under a 

 bud (Fig. 26), which enables the newly forming roots to pass freely 

 and at once into the soil, without the resistance of the thick bark 

 which they otherwise must pierce. Sometimes the branch is cut 

 partly off to intercept the downward passage of the fluids, and in- 

 duce them to form into roots. At other times a wire ligature, or the 

 removal of a narrow ring of bark, effects the same purpose. Bury- 

 ing the layer several inches under the surface is necessary, to keep 

 it in moist earth ; and in drouth, mulching would be beneficial. 

 A small excavation of the soil at the spot is convenient ; and 

 when the branch is stiff, it must be fastened down with a forked stick. 



The excavation should be made with a spade. Use both hands 

 in bending the shoot, so that it may not be bent too short, and 

 break. If properly done, it will press against the nearest side of 

 the hole, rest on the bottom, and rise up, pressing against the 

 opposite side, when it should be fastened upright, and if necessary, 

 to a small stake. At the time of bending, a sod or other weight 

 may be laid on to keep it down till the hole is filled ; and if the mel- 

 low earth be pressed firmly down with the foot, no forked stick will 

 be usually necessary. 



The most favorable state of a plant for layering, is when the bark 

 is somewhat soft and not too ripe ; and the worst shoots are those 

 which are stunted, and with a hard bark. There are, however, no 

 shoots whatever, not actually diseased, that will not root by layers, 

 if sufficient time be given. Layers, like cuttings, may be made of 

 the ripened wood in autumn or spring ; or of the growing wood at 

 or a little before midsummer, when the part intended to root is some- 

 what mature and firm in texture. The pear, the apple, and the 

 quince, if layered early in the spring ; or the grape in summer will 

 usually be well rooted in autumn. 



A moist season is the most favorable to the rooting of layers, by 

 preserving a softer bark. For this reason, many plants may be more 

 easily propagated in England than in the United States ; and more 

 readily in Ireland than in England. 



Layering is largely made use of for propagating the grape, occasion- 

 ally for the quince, and sometimes for the apple. It is also of very ex- 

 tensive application in propagating many ornamental trees and shrubs, 



