THE SCOTS GARDENER 



cut, and, taking the peel'd part close off, plant the 

 same with this bark, spread as you do a root. 



The time of planting cuttings is, if trees and 

 shrubs, a little before they spring ; and if herbes, 

 when springing, as above for off-sets ; and let the 

 stems of July-flowers and wall-flowers be well shot, 

 i.e. something firme, and take such as have not had 

 a flower. 



To increase by laying, is to bend down some branch 

 to the ground, and, with a hooked stick thrust into 

 the ground, stay the same in its place, and cover 

 with earth of deepness as you see fit. Let the soil 

 be good, watered, and shaded in drought from the 

 scorching sun, and sheltered in winter if needful. 



To force their rooting (if July-flowers) prune off 

 the under and withered leaves, and cut it at a joynt 

 into the pith, i.e. half way through, and slit it up to 

 the next joynt; thrust down the cut part gently in- 

 to the ground, making it fast, and cover it as before. 

 If trees and shrubs, prick the rind full of holes at 

 the place interred, or cut away the bark round at 

 the same place ; but if the branch be small, use it as 

 July-flowers, and if any refuse, bind them hard and 

 fast above the slit with a piece of pack-threed or 

 wyre, to stop the sap in its course, that it may pro- 



68 



