24 



OBIGINATING OF VARIETIES. 



Cuttings. Propagation by cuttings is the simplest mode of multi- 

 plying a variety. It consists simply in the insertion of a shoot of 

 one year's growth into the soil ; the moisture of the soil renews 

 the supply of sap, the buds swell, the leaves 

 expand, and the descending juices expend them- 

 selves in the production of new roots, which shoot 

 downwards into the soil (fig. 16). Under ordinary 

 circumstances, or in open ground, this mode is 

 only applicable to such species as readily throw 

 out roots, as the currant, gooseberry, quince, and 

 grape. The cutting should be made from eight 

 inches to a foot long, and have all the lower 

 buds cut out, in order to prevent its throwing 

 up suckers. Wood of the last year's growth is 

 used, and the lower end cut square across at the 

 base of a bud. They should be inserted perpen- 

 dicularly, or wdien long enough, curved, as see, 

 under the head of Grapes ; the earth should be 

 pressed securely at the bottom, and lightly at the 

 top, and, when possible, a mulch of two inches 

 of tan bark, saw-dust, etc., thrown over them to preserve mois- 

 ture. 



Fig. 16. 



Runners^ are the mode of self-propagation in the strawberry; as 

 soon as well rooted, they are suited to be removed. 



Suchers, are underground runners — often the result of careless 

 cultivation in breaking off roots. They should always be destroyed, 

 but never replanted. The Frost Gage plumb, from having been 

 propagated thus, has become so diseased, as to be nearly discarded^ 

 and this in the short space of about fifteen years. 



