CHAPTER XXII. 



SAND FOB ROOTING CUTTINGS. 



There are many opinions as regards sand for rooting 

 cuttings. Some prefer white to black, others river or washed 

 sand, and many must have charcoal dust. All failures to 

 root the cutting are attributed to the color of the sand. 



Twenty years ago the washed sand was used by many. 

 Why it was used I am at a loss to say, unless it was washed 

 to clear it of some poisonous mineral or quality which 

 prevented the cuttings from rooting. 



I have, at times, a bench of well-rooted cuttings, and 

 occasionally have one that is not so good. I never think 

 of attributing the success or failure to the sand. Have often 

 heard the remark made by visitors, there can be no trouble 

 rooting cuttings in such beautiful white sand. 



Some years ago, when looking through florist establish- 

 ments further north, I saw benches of well-rooted cuttings 

 in sand much darker than that which is*found here. I, like 

 many others, gave the sand the credit for the success. 



Long since that time, I have given up all such ideas, 

 believing that cuttings can be grown as well in one colored 

 sand as another. 



There is no virtue in the color of the sand. It is merely 

 cooling to the wound of the cutting, and will cause it to 

 heal and a callous will form earlier than if placed in soil. 



As soon as the cutting is rooted it should be removed 



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