86 THE PRACTICAL GARDEN -BOOK 



are stored the same as stem Cuttings and allowed to cal- 

 lus. In the spring they are planted in a horizontal or 

 nearly horizontal position in moist, sandy soil, being en- 

 tirely covered to a depth of 1 or 2 inches. 



Softwood or greenwood Cuttings are always rooted under 

 cover ; that is, in a greenhouse, coldframe or dwelling 

 house. They are usually made of wood which is mature 

 enough to break when it is bent sharply. When the wood 

 is so soft that it will bend and not break, it is too immature, 

 in the majority of plants, for the making of good Cuttings. 

 One to two joints is the proper length of a greenwood Cut- 

 ting. If of two joints, the lower leaf should be cut off and 

 the upper leaves cut in two, so that they do not present 

 their entire surface to the air and thereby evaporate the 

 plant juices too rapidly. If the Cutting is of only one joint, 

 the lower end is usually cut just above a joint. In either 

 case, the Cuttings are usually inserted in sand or well 

 washed gravel, nearly or quite up to the leaves. Keep the 

 bed uniformly moist throughout its depth, but avoid any soil 

 which holds so much moisture that it becomes muddy and 

 sour. These Cuttings should be shaded until they begin to 

 emit their roots. Coleus, geraniums, fuchsias, and nearly 

 all the common greenhouse and house plants, are propagated 

 by these Cuttings or slips. 



Leaf Cuttings are often used for the fancy -leaved bego- 

 nias, gloxinias, and a few other plants. The young plant 

 usually arises most readily from the leaf -stalk or petiole. 

 The leaf, therefore, is inserted into the ground much as a 

 green Cutting is. Begonia leaves, however, will throw out 

 young plants from the main veins when these veins or 

 ribs are cut. Therefore, well-grown and firm begonia leaves 

 are sometimes laid flat on the sand and the main veins cut ; 

 then the leaf is weighted down with pebbles or pegs so that 

 these cut surfaces come into intimate contact with the soil 

 beneath. The begonia leaf may be treated in various other 

 ways and still give good results. See Begonia. 



