THE CULTURE OF CONIFERS 39 



good, healthy root action and reduce the danger of loss from de- 

 caying roots, which always causes serious loss throughout the 

 summer when cuttings are not given the most natural growing 

 conditions. The cuttings must remain in the flats until the follow- 

 ing spring when they are in a perfect condition for potting or plant- 

 ing in beds. 



Outdoor Frame Cuitmgs. Some varieties of conifer cuttings are 

 successfully rooted in frames out of doors during the midsummer 

 and late summer season. The frames are built slightly below the 

 surface of the ground. The soil is removed from inside the frame to 

 allow for one foot of stable manure for supplying the required heat. 

 The frame should be rightly constructed to prevent entering of air 

 currents through any cracks or openings. The top of the board 

 or concrete forming the sides of the frame must be level and smooth 

 so that the glass sash covering fits perfectly. A light frame is built 

 at the height of four feet above the top of each frame as a support 

 for the muslin cloth used for shade. Fresh stable manure is firmly 

 packed in the bottom of the frame and soaked with water. This 

 will supply steady, even, bottom heat for the cuttings. The sand 

 is now spread evenly in the frame to a depth of four inches and the 

 frame is ready for cuttings. 



Soft Wood and Half Ripe Wood Cuttings. The cuttings are made 

 from young wood in a partly ripened condition. Experience has 

 shown that cuttings made from side branches root equally as well 

 as leading shoot under this method of propagation. The cuttings 

 are planted in the sand and thoroughly watered, after which the 

 close fitting glass sash is placed over the top of the frame and the 

 muslin shade placed over the supports to pre^'ent any of the direct 

 rays of sunlight from falling on the tops of the newly made cuttings. 

 Air is not admitted into the frame until the cuttings have started 

 rooting. Some varieties root in three weeks while others require 

 two months. 



All cuttings should be well rooted before the time for heavy 

 freezing. The best treatment for cuttings, rooted in outdoor 

 frames, is to pot them up in October and place in a cool greenhouse 

 or heated frame over winter. There is always danger of heavy loss 

 with conifer cuttings propagated in this manner if left in the frames 

 over winter. Only a limited variety of cuttings give the maximum 



