PROPAGATION OF PLANTS 



41 



an inch long, and then plant by hand. The Rhode Island 



station found a gain of fifty-four bushels per acre due to 



allowing potatoes to lie in 



a well-lighted room, at a 



temperature of 60 to 75 



degrees Fahr., for four to 



six weeks. 



The seed is best" cut 

 the day of planting, but 

 may be cut on rainy days 

 shortly before planting, to 

 save time. 



38. Cuttings. Nearly 

 all herbaceous plants and 

 many woody plants can 

 be propagated from cut- 

 tings. Alfalfa and clover plants may be so grown. Of 

 course, this is not practical under ordinary circumstances; 

 but alfalfa is sometimes propagated in this way by plant- 

 breeders when they desire to multiply a desirable indi- 

 vidual. Most of our 

 house-plants are prop- 

 agated by cuttings. In 

 some cases the leaves 

 will grow, but usually 

 stems are taken. Cur- 

 rants, grapes, willows, 

 poplars, cottonwoods, 

 are commonly propa- 

 gated by cuttings. 



Fio. 18. Verbena cutting well rooted Grape CUttingS are 



Fio. 17. Geranium cutting ready to plant 



