196 THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS 



branch whence it was cut, finding a sudden termination 

 to its course, exudes. The first drops fall into the soil ; 

 but, from its viscous nature, those which follow soon 

 coagulate and heal the wound. The protuberance then 

 forms, and roots strike out. 



Caroline. This process must, however, be attended 

 with much greater uncertainty than by layers. The slip, 

 being separated from its parent, before it is able to pro- 

 vide for its own wants, is like a child brought up by hand ; 

 whilst the layer is weaned only after it has acquired the 

 power and the means, of finding its own nourishment. 



Mrs. B. It is for this reason that the propagation of 

 rare plants is preferable by layers. There are some trees 

 which have such a remarkable facility for sprouting, that 

 whatever part of them you plant in the ground will strike 

 root, be it a branch, the remnant of a stem, or even a sim- 

 ple stake. The willow, the ash, and most trees of white 

 wood, sprout with this facility. The weeping willow is 

 so easily propagated by slips that it is never raised by 

 seed ; and all the willows now existing in Europe, 

 and, in all probability that ever will exist there, are sub- 

 divisions of one tree brought originally from Asia. 



Emily. Greenhouse plants are usually propagated by 

 slips from shoots of the preceding spring ; and sometimes 

 the slip is cut a little below the spring-shoot, so as to in- 

 clude a piece of the shoot of the preceding year. 



Mrs. B. This is for the purpose of preventing the ex- 

 travasation of the cambium, the wood of two years' 

 growth being of a more solid texture. 



Branches of three or four years' growth are sometimes 

 planted : they should be placed deep in the soil, to favor 

 the developement of a number of germs. Slips of forked 

 branches are planted with advantage for hedges, as their 

 shoots interlace each other, and form an impenetrable 

 fence. 



In raising succulent plants by means of slips, it is neces- 

 sary either to dry up or cover with mastic the cut end, for 



1074. When by slips, how is it supposed, they are made to live 1 ? 

 1075. To what does Caroline compare the propagation of plants by 

 slips'? 1076. What is said of the facility with which some trees 

 sprout 1 ? 1077. What are they 1 ? 1078. How are green-house 

 plants propagated! 1079. Why are they cut below the spring shootl 

 1080. What is said of branches of three or four years growth, and of 

 slips of forked branches'? 



