TRUNCHEONS 127 



the olive. The branches from one-half inch to three 

 inches that are cut off in pruning are carefully saved and 

 used for production of new trees. The small pieces are 

 split in half, while the larger ones are quartered. These 

 are then buried in the propagating bed, placing each piece 

 in a horizontal position with the bark uppermost, and from 

 three to four inches below the surface of the ground. This 

 is best done in the early spring, moisture being supplied 

 throughout the summer and clean culture given. The 

 buds at the nodes gradually develop into branches and roots 



FIG. 59. Propagating Olives by Use of Truncheons. 



form around their base. After two summers' growth the 

 entire truncheon is dug up and the pieces containing the 

 desired sprouts are cut off with a saw and transferred to 

 the permanent grove. Occasionally three years will be 

 necessary to produce a good tree. (Fig. 59.) 



Softwood Cuttings. Unless the suckers or offshoots 

 used in propagating bananas and pineapples may be classed 

 as softwood cuttings, this method would have little use 

 among nurserymen. It properly belongs in a discussion 

 of the methods of vegetative propagation used in the great 

 class of soft, succulent perennials so common to the florist. 



