112 PLANT PROPAGATION 
sown as soon as ripe and grown on in pots until large 
enough to plant out. Division of the roots is a some- 
what precarious method, as they transplant badly from 
the open ground. 
DIEFFENBACHIA.—The tops of leggy plants that have 
lost lower leaves make excellent cuttings, which root 
without difficulty in strong bottom heat and moist atmo- 
sphere. The old: stems, if laid on leaf-mould or moist 
coconut fibre in the stove, will usually throw out short 
sprouts suitable for cuttings. The stems may also be 
cut into 2 or 3 inch lengths, and after slightly drying the 
cuts be planted in sandy compost under bell-glass. 
DiERVILLA (Weigelia),—Increase by suckers, by firm 
green cuttings in propagating-case in summer, or by 
cuttings of ripe shoots planted in a north border under 
handlights in October. 
DiciraLis (FOxGLOVE).—Sow seed in a shady position 
in April or May and treat as a biennial. 
DioscorEaA.—Propagate D. batatas (Chinese Yam) by 
dividing dormant tubers; the hot-house climbers by 
cuttings of half-ripened shoots and tubers that form in 
the axils of the leaves. 
Diospyros.—Increase stove kinds by cuttings of 
ripened shoots in April and May; hardy sorts by seed 
sown in October. In warm countries where grown for 
the fruit, shield-budding and whip- and cleft-grafting 
on stocks of D. Lotus and D. virginiana is extensively 
practised with the choicer varieties. 
DrpLaDENIA.—The young shoots that start growth in 
spring are taken off with a heel, then inserted in sand 
and peat in a brisk bottom heat under a bell-glass. 
Dirpsacus.—The Teasels, both useful and ornamental, 
are easily raised from seed sown outdoors in April. 
