26 



ORIGINATING OF VARIETIES. 



Layers. This is practised in low shrubs and vines, as the quince 

 and grape. It consists in bending down carefully without breaking 

 a branch, cutting a notch or slit on the under side, and pegging it 



securely, so Jhat the centre 

 will be about four inches 

 under ground, see fig. 14. 

 With the grape trailing the 

 vine on the surface, as shown 

 in fig. 15, and after buds 

 have started a few inches, 

 cover with soil, the vine; 

 each bud will throw out 

 roots, and if the operation 



be performed in spring, they may be taken up and separated in the 

 fall. 



Cuttings. Propagation by cuttings is the simplest mode of mul- 

 tiplying a variety. It consists simply in the insertion 

 of a shoot of one year's growth into the soil ; the 

 moisture of the soil renews the supply of sap, the buds 

 swell, the leaves expand, and the descending juices ex- 

 pend themselves in the production of new roots, which 

 shoot downwards into the soil, fig. 16. Under ordi- 

 nary circumstances, or in open ground, this mode is 

 only applicable to such species as readily throw out 

 roots, as the currant, gooseberry, quince, and grape. 

 The cutting should be made from eight inches to a 

 foot long, and have all the lower buds cut out, in order 

 to prevent its throwing up suckers. Wood of the last 

 year's growth is used, and the lower end cut square 

 across at the base of a bud. They should be inserted 

 perpendicularly, or when long enough, curved, as see, 

 under the head of grapes ; the earth should be pressed 

 securely at the bottom, and lightly at the top, and 

 Fig. 16. when possible, a mulch of two inches of tan bark, 

 saw-dust etc ' tnrown over them to preserve moisture. 



Runners, are the mode of self-propagation in the strawberry ; as 

 soon as well rooted they are suited to be removed. 



