230 LESSONS IN AGRICULTURE 



unripe wood, or from hard and fully matured wood. 

 Of the soft kinds are cuttings (or slips) of geraniums, 

 fuchsias, and the like. Of the hard kinds are cuttings 

 of grapes and currants. 



Soft cuttings. Soft cuttings are made of shoots 

 which are sufficiently mature to snap when bent double. 

 They are composed of from one to three joints of the 

 plant. The leaves of cuttings are removed from the 



FIG. 66. LEAF CUTTING WHOLE LEAF 



lower end, and if the upper leaves are large, they should 

 be cut in two to prevent too rapid drying out. Sandy 

 soil free from vegetable matter is best for soft cuttings. 



Hardwood cuttings. Hardwood cuttings are usually 

 taken in the fall or winter. They are composed of two 

 or more buds. If these cuttings are taken in the fall, 

 they are buried in sand to be kept until spring, when 

 they are set in the ground up to the top bud. However, 

 such cuttings may be taken and placed during this 

 month. 



