Preventing 

 decay and 

 wilting 



70 Nature-Study Agriculture 



Cuttings must be made with a very sharp knife. A 

 clean cut heals over more easily than does a torn and 



Planting 

 cuttings ; 

 why sand is 

 used 



>***7- \0^-~ 



FIG. 47. Hardwood cuttings: a, simple cutting; b, heel cutting; 

 c, mallet cutting ; d, single-eye cutting. 



slivered end; and unless the wound quickly becomes 

 " callused " over with new growth, bacteria will soon 

 enter and cause decay. All leaves that would be covered 

 and a part of those that would be above ground should 

 be removed. Covered leaves might start decay, and 

 too many above ground would draw moisture from the 

 cutting and dry it out too much. (Exp. 4.) 



In the planting of cuttings it is necessary to keep in 

 mind the need for air. It is especially desirable for the 

 production of roots that plenty of air be present, and for 



