BOOT-CUTTINGS 111 



deep, depending upon the comparative heaviness or 

 lightness of the soil, and about three inches apart in 

 the furrow. They are covered and the soil firmed over 

 them, the same as in planting peas, potatoes, or any 

 other garden vegetable. Mulching the ground with a 

 light layer of straw, sawdust, or similar material, to 

 prevent it from drying out, aids in promoting their 

 growth and insuring a good stand. 



For those who have greenhouse facilities, a very 

 satisfactory way is to take up the roots and make the 

 cuttings as early in spring as the ground will permit, 

 stratifying them in boxes of sand as already described, 

 and placing them under the greenhouse benches. 

 Later, as other plants go outside and space permits, 

 these boxes are placed on the benches. By this treat- 

 ment the cuttings become callused, and are in good con- 

 dition to go into trenches outside by the last of May. 



If a variety is particularly scarce and it is desirable 

 to increase the stock of it with the greatest possible 

 speed, the cuttings may be made smaller, one -half to 

 one inch long, and the whole operation be carried on 

 under glass. In this case the cuttings had better be 

 placed just beneath the surface in beds of sand, and 

 furnished with a gentle bottom heat. The plants are 

 potted off as soon as buds have been developed and 

 are well under way, or when leaf -growth has begun. 

 Sometimes they are sown in shallow boxes of soil after 

 the callus and buds have developed, and allowed to 

 remain till several inches high, then potted, or even 

 set from here direetlj^ into the open field, if the weather 

 and soil are in suitable condition. 



