118 PLANT PROPAGATION 
grown from 3 inches to 5 inches in length, from June to 
August, the cuttings are taken off, the ends dipped in 
dry sand to check the bleeding, then inserted in sandy 
compost, plunged in bottom heat in a close frame with 
high temperature and a moist atmosphere, and shaded 
from sunshine until rooted. The after-treatment is to 
grow on without check or pinching of the points in 
order to ensure large bracts. 
Eurya.—E. japonica latifolia variegata, so much 
appreciated for decorative purposes in conservatory, 
corridor, and hall, is propagated by cuttings made from 
young shoots in spring planted in sandy compost and 
placed in a temperature of 60 to 80 degrees. 
E-xacuM.—The beautiful blue blossoms of these plants 
never fail to arrest attention. The imported seed should 
be sown in stove heat. Efficient drainage and careful 
watering are necessary in the early stages, as young 
seedlings are very liable to damp off unless treated with 
care in a light position. 
Fatsia.—The useful foliage plant F. japonica (syns. 
Aralia japonica and A. Sieboldi) is successfully raised 
from seed sown as soon as ripe after cleaning from 
pulpy matter. Fresh seeds are usually obtainable in 
April, and there should be no delay in sowing them as 
soon as possible before they lose vitality. In a gentle 
heat germination will soon take place, and the young 
seedlings will be ready for pricking off. Root-cuttings 
in gentle heat will also succeed if planted in spring with 
the tops just covered, keeping the ends of the root that 
grew nearest the stem uppermost. In order to dis- 
tinguish this it is a good plan when severing them from 
the plant to cut the top flat across and the bottom in a 
slanting direction. Cuttings of side-shoots from the 
