CHAPTER VI. 



CUTTINGS IN OPEN AIR. 



Success in growing cuttings in the open air is often 

 dependent upon the proper selection and preparation of 

 the cutting bed. The soil may be loam, sandy loam, or 

 fine muck, with an admixture of sand the latter is one 

 of the best, provided it is not too wet. Any soil that is 

 retentive of moisture, but not really wet or sw;impy, 

 will answer the purpose. 



A soil at least eighteen inches deep is one cf the 

 requisites of a good cutting bed. 



If the soil is naturally heavy and compact, a 1 iberal 

 quantity of sand, charcoal, or fibrous muck should be 

 applied to lighten it, else it will become too hard and 

 dry in summer, and the cuttings will suffer in conse- 

 quence. A rich soil is also indispensable, for it is neces- 

 sary that the cuttings should make a vigorous growth, 

 that they may ripen a large portion of their wood and 

 roots early in the season. This they can not do without 

 a proper supply of food. But no fresh unfermented 

 manure should be mixed with the soil, though it may 

 sometimes be admissible upon the surface after the cut- 

 tings are planted. 



If the soil is not naturally rich a liberal quantity 

 (say enough to cover the entire surface four to six ir.ches 

 deep) of old, well-rotted barnyard manure, or a compost 

 made of manure and sods, muck, leaves, or some similar 

 materials, may be thoroughly mixed with the soil to the 

 depth of one foot or more. 



The cuttings will usually produce roots from the 

 lower end first, therefore it is necessary that a portion of 



