108 PLANT PROPAGATION 
and by this means not only is the true character of the 
parent ensured, but the plants come more quickly into 
bearing than seedlings. 
CurRRANTS.-—The White and Red varieties are propa- 
gated by planting in autumn cuttings a foot long made 
from mature shoots of the current year’s growth. 
These should be smoothly cut through with a very 
sharp knife just below a bud, all the eyes except about 
three at the top being removed to form clean stems and 
to ensure freedom from suckers. With the spade take 
out a vertical trench, place the cuttings therein in an 
upright position, 6 inches deep and 6 inches apart, so 
that the heads stand about 6 inches above the surface 
soil, fill in and tread firmly, leaving a space of 1 foot 
between the rows. 
Black Currants are propagated in exactly the same 
way except that none of the buds are rubbed off the 
cuttings, they being left to form branches from the base 
later on. 
CycLAMEN.—The greenhouse varieties are raised from 
seed sown as soon as ripe in August, and these, by 
present-day treatment, can be had in flower in about 
fifteen months and last a long time in beauty. Well- 
drained pots or pans should be filled to within ? inch 
of the rim with a finely-sifted compost of loam, well- 
decayed leaf-mould, and silver sand in equal propor- 
tions. Water and allow to drain for an hour, then place 
the seeds about 4 inch apart all over the surface and 
cover thinly with fine compost. Put a sheet of glass 
over to retain moisture, and place in a cool pit or green- 
house, shading from sunshine witha sheet of thin paper. 
Remove the glass when germination is effected, gradually 
inure to sunlight, and place on a greenhouse shelf near 
