Propagation. 



37 



winter or early in spring ; but if well kept they may be taken from 

 the tree at any time between the cessation of growth in late summer 

 or autumn, and the commencement of vegetation in spring. They 

 may be preserved out-of-doors safely, if buried in moderately moist 

 earth, by placing them in a box open downwards, and buried on a 

 dry spot, the scions being kept from contact with the earth by sticks 

 across the box. They may be conveniently preserved in a cellar in 

 a box of damp powdered moss ; or in moderately moist peat or 

 black muck. Sawdust answers the same purpose, if not in large 

 quantities so as to become heated. In cutting, the name may be kept 

 temporarily by writing with a common 

 lead-pencil on a shaved portion of the 

 shoot (Fig. 39) ; but for packing away 

 permanently, write the name on both 

 sides of a strip of shingle, say a foot 

 long and half an inch wide (Fig. 40), 

 and tie this up with the scions, the out- 

 side writing readily showing the name, 

 and the inner to refer to in case the 

 outside is erased (Fig. 41). Scions not 

 fully hardy, as of most sorts of plums, 

 should be cut early in winter, or before 

 they have been exposed and injured by 

 severe cold. 



In order to send scions by mail, they 

 are best put up by enclosing them in 

 cases of oil-silk (such as is used for 

 hat-lining), by wrapping the oil-silk about 

 the scions and over the ends, and then 

 passing a fine thread repeatedly round from end to end, making the 

 whole air-tight (Fig. 42). The natural moisture is thus preserved, 

 and they cannot shrivel. The names should be written with pen- 

 cil on the ends, and no paper for 

 this purpose wrapped around 

 them, as it absorbs the mois- 

 ture. Grafts have been shri- 

 velled and spoiled by mis- 

 takenly placing dry cotton bat- 

 ting among them before being thus encased. To send grafts in 

 larger quantities, or by " express," pack them in alternating layers 

 of fine, slightly-damp moss. It is always important, whether pack- 

 ing grafts for keeping or for distant conveyance, to preserve the 



Fig. 41. Fig. 40. Fig. 39. 

 Marking and packing grafts. 



Fig. 42. 

 Grafts packed for sending by mail. 



