124 PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE. 



for the laws governing the rooting of a slip are as certain 

 as those governing the germination of a seed. In our 

 own practice, when these conditions are strictly followed, 

 failure is unknown, when the cutting or slip is in the 

 proper condition of health. 



The best degree of temperature to root cuttings of the 

 great majority of greenhouse and bedding plants is sixty- 

 five degrees of bottom heat, indicated by a thermometer 

 plunged in the sand of the bench, and an atmospheric 

 temperature of fifteen degrees less. A range of ten 

 degrees may be allowed, that is, five degrees lower or five 

 degrees higher; but the nearer the heat of the sand can be 

 kept to sixty-five degrees, and that of the rest of the 

 house to fifty degrees, the more perfect the success will 

 be. If a much higher temperature be maintained, it will 

 be at the expense of the ultimate health of the plants. 

 These temperatures refer to propagation under glass from 

 November to April. Of course, when the outside tem- 

 perature is higher these temperatures cannot be main- 

 tained. 



Sand is the best medium in which to place cuttings ; 

 color or texture is of no special importance. What we 

 use is the ordinary sand used by builders; this is laid on 

 the hot-bed or bench of the greenhouse, to the depth of 

 about three inches and firmly packed down. When 

 "bottom heat" is wanted, the flue or pipes under the 

 bench of the greenhouse are boarded in, so that the heat 

 strikes the bottom of the bench, thus raising the temper- 

 ature of the sand. We prefer the bottom of the bench to 

 be of slate, as it is a better conductor than boards; but 

 in the absence of slate, boards will answer. 



From the time the cuttings are inserted in the sand 

 until they are rooted, they should never be allowed to get 

 dry; in fact, our practice is, to keep the sand soaked with 

 water until the cutting is just on the point of emitting 

 roots, the cutting bench being watered copiously every 



