158 THE LYCHEE AND LUNGAN 



this lot formed roots, the remainder decaying at the base, but with 

 some callousing above the dead wood. 



(4) In the final and most successful experiment a number 

 of three-inch pots were two-thirds filled with a mixture of Jersey 

 muck and silver sand of equal parts. The cuttings were made 

 with only a small portion of the foliage removed. Each cutting 

 was then tied to a six-inch pot label, and the labels were shoved 

 down into the partly filled pots until the base of each cutting just 

 touched the soil. These cuttings formed a callus in from eight to 

 ten days and some sent their roots down into the soil in twenty 

 days after planting. Eighty per cent of these cuttings rooted, and 

 when they were thoroughly rooted the pots were filled with soil 

 and the plants were removed to a cooler section of the propagating- 

 case in order to prepare them gradually for greenhouse conditions. 



Construction of the Propagat ing-Case. 



The propagating-case contains a shallow, galvanized iron 

 pan for water which is heated by means of an electric heater or a 

 small oil-stove hot-water equipment. Over the pan is placed a 

 false bottom of one-fourth-inch wire mesh which is covered with 

 moss. Upon this moss the pots containing the cuttings are placed. 

 Over the box, which is tightly constructed so as to conserve all the 

 heat, a hinged sash is fitted. This must fit sufficiently snug to 

 prevent evaporation. 



A very simple outfit for field use has been made similar to 

 the above. The heating equipment consists of an oil-stove with 

 water attachment. A small one gallon boiler is located immedi- 

 ately over the oil-stove, not unlike an incubator. A one-inch pipe 

 extends out from the top of the boiler, and under the water-tank 

 which it encircles, and then returns to the bottom of the boiler. 



Preparation and Treatment of Cuttings. 



As already indicated, great care must be taken in the pre- 

 paration of cuttings not to allow them to become dry. After they 

 are removed from the parent plant they should be immediately 

 immersed in water. The lychee seems to delight in a hot, moist 

 atmosphere. A temperature of 85 to 90 degrees should be main- 

 tained in the propagating-case and cuttings should be kept moist 

 at all times. The foliage should be wet down several times during 

 the day if necessary, and shaded from bright sunlight. The lychee 

 is peculiar in its ability to stand up under these hot, moist condi- 

 tions. Cuttings of other fruits will collapse completely; others 



