-^^l 



PJi\ 1 C r/C.I L FL ORIC I '/, 7" ( 'RE. 



half through near a joint, when it should be laid down in the soil and covered over with 

 moss, manure or other substance that will retain moisture around the incision; and the 

 head or end of the shoot should be left uncovered. Many ornamental shrubs, such as 

 Snowballs, Tree Cranberries and the like, can be raised only in this manner or from seeds. 



OFFSHOOTS. 



These form a natural kind of layering, where the plant sends forth a horizontal, under- 

 ground stem or shoot, which needs but to be cut off from the parent stem at the proper 

 season, to constitute an entirely distinct plant. They are nearly similar in character and 

 appearance to the familiar above-ground runners of the strawberry and many other like 

 plants. 



BULBS. 



Bulbs are mostly increased liy offsets or bulblets formed on the sides of the previous 

 growth, and generally require two or more years before they bloom. All bulbs require a 

 peculiarly rich, deep soil, and plenty of liquid manure while in a growing state. They 

 are best kept in a bed or box by themselves to facilitate the extra attention necessary to 

 develop a strong, healthy growth. 



ANY persons dread the performance of this simple part of flori- 

 culture, which is not at all difficult unless the plant is too heavy or 

 unwieldy. First, there should be in readiness some broken 

 potsherds, bits of charcoal, or the like, lor drainage, and the extra 

 il for the larger pot to which the transfer is to be made. This soil 

 should be thoroughly damp — not wet and muddy, but so as to sift 

 nicely from the hand. The articles for drainage should be placed 

 in the bottom of the pot to the depth of about half an inch, with an additional 

 half inch of moss if convenient, after which the whole should be covered over 

 with a layer of the earth prepared as above. The plant to be transferred is 

 supposed to have been watered some hours before, so that the earth will not 

 crumble away from and tear the roots. The right hand, with the palm down- 

 ward, should be placed over the surface of the ball of earth surrounding the plant, 

 so that two fingers will be on each side of the stem; then pot and plant should be lifted 

 bottom upward with the left hand, and the pot gently struck against the edge of a table, 

 when it will ordinarily come off. nicely. Should it, however, prove rootbound (that is, 

 with the roots so crowded as to adhere to the sides of the pot), a few stronger blows will 

 cause it to relinquish its hold. The young rootlets, if fresh and healthy, should not be 

 disturbed; if dead — as will sometimes be the case from having been either too wet or too 

 dry — they should be cut off, as they would be an unwholesome element in the pot, and 

 would have a tendency to prevent the growth of new and healthy ones. The large or 

 broken roots necessary to be removed should be cut smoothly with a sharp knife. 



