THE ROOT 



39 



important that no risk be run of the cutting dying, the 



last plan may be modified as follows. On the rose, 



gooseberry, lilac, or other shrub which it is desired to 



propagate, select a branch which is easily accessible, and 



from it remove a ring of bark, right round the stem, about 



half an inch in width. Have ready a flower-pot, sawn 



lengthways into halves, or a small wooden box with one 



side removed and a slot in the 



bottom to admit the branch, as 



shown in Fig. 4. Place the pot in 



position round the stem where it 



has been prepared, bringing that 



part of the stem from which the 



bark has been removed, to about 



the middle of the pot Tie the 



two halves of the pot together, and 



secure it firmly in its place by FIG. 4. Box with top 



. . . and one side removed, 



fastening it to a stake driven in an d slot cut in bottom 

 the ground. Everything being now Skl^top.25? 

 in position, put a little dried grass 

 or coco-nut refuse at the bottom of 

 the pot and fill up with soil ; keep 

 the pot watered. After the branch has been for some 

 time in the pot, begin the process of severing it from the 

 parent plant by cutting a small notch in it a few inches 

 below the bottom of the pot ; after three or four days 

 deepen this notch and repeat the process at intervals 

 until complete severance is effected. The branch should 

 now have rooted and become an independent plant which 

 may be planted in a suitable place. 



Peg down on moist sand some leaves of "fibrous 



and the box filled with 

 soil the front should be 

 slid in along grooves in 

 the sides. 



