Propagation by Cuttings. 205 



as the bouvardia, geranium etc. , will not start to the same 

 degree, unless placed in the propagating bed toward 

 spring and given bottom heat. 



Eoot cuttings should be planted shallow, usually not 

 more than one- half to three- fourths inch deep, in order 

 that the developing bud may soon reach the light; other- 

 wise, as in too-deeply-planted seeds, the reserve food may 

 be exhausted before the shoot reaches the surface. When 

 planted in the open ground (372), the soil should be 

 made very fine and carefully pressed about the cuttings; 

 if the weather is warm and dry, shading (Fig. 64) and 

 watering will be necessary. 



b Propagation by cuttings from active plants (green 

 cuttings, slips). 



377. Nearly All Plants may be Propagated from Green 

 Cuttings. A succulent cutting of nasturtium * with its 

 leaves intact, and with its proximal end immersed in 

 fresh well- or spring- water, will for a time absorb suf- 

 ficient of the liquid to make good the loss from transpira- 

 tion (75). So long as the water remains fresh and the 

 tissues of the stem are unobstructed, the water thus 

 absorbed will answer the same purpose to this cutting as 

 if it had been absorbed by the roots. Food formation 

 (59) will continue, and the growth current (80) will 

 transport the prepared food from the leaves into the stem 

 and in the direction of the roots. No roots being present, 

 however, the growing points of roots will form at the 

 base of the stem, and we shall soon have a rooted cutting. 

 Not all plants, however, root freely in water, possibly 

 owing to an insufficient supply of oxygen therein. 



* Tropceolum. 



