192 Principles of Plant Culture. 



their proximal end (116) in the soil, and their distal end 

 in the air. Root cuttings are generally covered in the 

 soil. 



359. Nearly All Plants may be Propagated by Cuttings 

 from one or another of their parts. The ease with which 

 plants may be multiplied in this way varies greatly in 

 different species (21), and even in different varieties of 

 the same species. The appearance of a plant does not 

 always indicate the facility with which it may be grown 

 from cuttings; the only sure way to ascertain this is by 

 trial. 



Climate exerts a marked influence upon the tendency 

 of plants to develop from cuttings. In certain locations 

 in southern Europe and in parts of South America, 

 branches of the common apple tree, sharpened and driven 

 into the ground as stakes, often take root and sometimes 

 even bear fruit during the same season. A warm, moist 

 atmosphere is very favorable to propagation by cuttings. 



We have seen that the roots of certain plants normally 

 develop buds (131). In like manner, the stems of many 

 plants, as the potato, grape etc., normally develop grow- 

 ing points of roots at their nodes (116). Plants that nor- 

 mally develop buds upon their roots, or growing points of 

 roots at their nodes, are readily propagated by cuttings. But 

 propagation by cuttings is not limited to such plants 

 (362). 



360. The Essential Characteristics of a Cutting are a 

 a certain amount of healthy tissue; b a certain amount 

 of prepared food, or of tissue capable of preparing food 

 (59); c in most species, a growing point (67), either of 

 the stem or root, or of both. 



