THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS, ETC. 189 



CONVERSATION XV. 



ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS BY SUBDIVISION. 



Mrs. B. IT is now time to turn our attention from the 

 preparation of the soil to the study of the plants which are 

 to be raised in it. 



Caroline. After having provided suitable accommoda- 

 tion for their reception, and an abundant store of food for 

 their subsistence, they will no doubt increase and multi- 

 ply with rapidity. 



Mrs. B. That is not all. If we have taken so much 

 pains to provide for the welfare of the vegetable creation, 

 it is with the interested view of its affording us food and 

 raiment ; we shall therefore select for cultivation such 

 plants as are best suited to that purpose. 



There are two modes of propagating vegetables : the 

 first consists in subdividing the parts of a plant, so that 

 from one individual several may be formed ; the second 

 mode is that of raising new plants by the germination of 

 the seed. 



In order to be able in every case to distinguish these 

 two processes, you must observe that the seed is always 

 contained in an envelope, and that it is prepared by or- 

 gans exclusively destined for that purpose. These organs 

 compose the flower or blossom. Now the plant which 

 results from the germination of the seed, is always of the 

 same species as that in which the seed originated ; but 

 varying from it frequently in the quality of its fruit, and not 

 inheriting any of the peculiarities which may have casu- 

 ally distinguished the individual parent-plant. 



When, on the contrary, a new plant is raised by sepa- 

 rating from the parent-stock a slip or a layer, you not 

 only produce an individual of the same species, but, if I 

 may so express it a continuation of the same plant, pos- 

 sessing every peculiarity by which it may casually be 

 distinguished from others of its species. 



Emily. When these peculiarities are of an advantage- 

 ous nature, it must be desirable to raise the plant by di- 

 vision ; otherwise, I suppose, it is more easily accomplish- 

 ed by sowing the seed. 



1037. What are the two modes of propagating vegetables'? 1038. 

 What must be observed in order to distinguish these two processes'? 

 1039. What is said of the plant produced from seed! 1040. And 

 of one produced from a slip! 



