PROPAGATING SOFT-WOODED PLANTS. 



133 



niums and Variegated Rose Geraniums, operated on in this 

 manner, produce roots half an inch in length as they hang 

 in the air ; but this is of no special advantage, as we find 

 that those layers that merely heal up and callus make 

 just as fine plants as those that have formed roots before 

 being cut off. 

 Plants thus formed, make much finer plants than reg- 



Fig. 32. CUTTINGS PAKTLY SEVERED. 



ular layers, as they are to all intents and purpose cut tings, 

 and consequently, unlike layers, are not long dependent 

 on the parent plant for support, being indebted little or 

 nothing to the old plant during their development. By 

 this system of propagation, we have often had the satis- 

 faction of doubling our stock of many rare and valuable 



