BOOK II, 



BORDER-FLOWERS. 



873 



PERENNIAL BORDER-FLOWERS. SEPT. AND OCT. continued. 



6490. Propagation of perennial herbaceous plants. All the modes of propagation, ex- 

 cepting such as are applicable only to woody plants, may occasionally be adopted ; but 

 the most general practice is by dividing the root, by suckers or offsets, and by seed ; the 

 other modes are by cuttings of the stalks, shoots, or roots, and by layers. 



6491. By dividing the root. This mode is applicable to nine tenths of hardy herba- 

 ceous plants. The plant may either be taken up, divided with the knife, and a portion 

 replanted to continue the species in the spot allotted to it ; or, the earth may be partially 

 removed, and part of the roots and crown cut off to make new plants. The sections 

 may, if well rooted, be planted at once where they are to remain and flower, or, what is 

 preferable, they may be planted for one season in nursing-beds in the reserve-garden, 

 and prevented from flowering that season by pinching off the flower-buds as they appear. 

 The common season for performing the operation is spring, when the plant is beginning 

 to push, or in summer or autumn immediately after it has flowered. The latter is ge- 

 nerally the preferable period, unless the plant flowers very late, in which case the sections 

 will not have sufficient time to form roots for their support during winter. 



6492. By suckers or offsets. This mode is also applicable to nine tenths of common 

 herbaceous plants ; the best time for removing them is in spring, or early in summer, 

 after the plant has begun to grow. Plant them in the nursing-department, and pinch off 

 their flower-buds, that they may flower strongly next season when removed to their final 

 destination. 



6493. By seed. This mode is applicable to all the single-flowering kinds, but is only 

 adopted with a few species, which are otherwise difficultly multiplied. Collect the seed 

 from the flowers which expanded first, as being generally the strongest. If it is ripe 

 before August, it may be sown the same season, but if otherwise, it will be preferable to 

 defer sowing till the following spring. Sow on beds of light earth, thinly covering ac- 

 cording to the size of the seed, and prick out the plants once or twice according to their 

 strength, size, or weakness, so as they may be fit to remove to their final destination in 

 August or September. They will flower strongly the following year, and probably may 

 show some new varieties. 



6494. By cuttings from the side-shoots or Jlower-stems. This mode is applicable to a 

 number of the more delicate and double- flowering herbaceous plants, as to scarlet and 

 pink lychnis, double rockets white and yellow, some hollyhocks, and a variety of others ; 

 but more to biennials and annuals than to perennials. The cuttings may be taken off at 

 any time when the shoots are tender and properly prepared, and planted in sandy loam 

 in a warm situation, but shaded and covered with a hand-glass. Afterwards transplant 

 them in the nursery-department, and again the same season where they are finally to re- 

 main. They will blow freely the summer following. 



6495. By cuttings from the root-shoots. This is applicable to some sorts which do not 

 multiply fast at the root, or whose rooted stolones or suckers do not make handsome 

 plants ; as to some species of alyssum, statice, silene, &c. The early part of summer is, 

 in general, the most fitting season for performing the operation ; plant in sandy loam 

 under a hand-glass, and shade in the sunny part of the day ; then transplant in the nur- 

 sery department for a few weeks, when the strongest plants will show themselves, and 

 may be removed in September to their final destination. They will blow strongly next 

 year. 



6496. By cuttings of jointed root-shoots or pipings. This is chiefly applicable to the di- 

 anthus tribe, saponaria, the striped grass, or any other grasses or reedy plants. Proceed 

 as in piping pinks or carnations (6412.); but no bottom heat will be required for the sorts 

 that come under this section. 



6497. By cuttings from the roots. This is strictly applicable only to such plants as 

 form buds on their roots, as to most of the rubiaceae, to the mints, epilobiums, &c* 

 About midsummer is the earliest period at which the creeping roots are generally fit for 

 this purpose ; but with some others, as gallium, osmunda, &c. it may be done in spring 



