PROPAGATING. 105 



excellent success in this matter by throwing the old 

 soil out of a bed to a depth of eight inches and then 

 putting in about two inches of coarse coal ashes, 

 broken clinkers, and the like. On top of this put 

 two inches of sifted coal ashes, and finally four 

 inches of good soil, made, mixed, and sifted as 

 already described. The roots run down into the 

 ashes and come out clean, white, and beautiful, 

 and covered with root hairs. 



Growers attempt, once in a while, to set 

 directly from the sand to the beds where the 

 plants are to make their growth. We have tried 

 this plan, but cannot recommend it, as the risk 

 in handling the plants is too great. If cloudy, 

 damp weather follows after the planting no harm 

 may result, but if it should be bright and warm the 

 plants will suffer in spite of all that can be done. 

 There are other objections to this plan, but they 

 need not be mentioned here, as the best growers 

 do not follow the practice at all. 



We have now described the three principal 

 methods followed in propagation. The last we 

 recommend to those who have had considerable 

 experience and who are growing Marie Louise. 

 Our preference is for a combination of the second 

 and third methods. In both cases the cuttings are 

 taken from the plants as they stand in the bed. 

 Those which have good, clean, white roots can be 

 put in the soil as already described, but those 

 which are just as good in every way except as 



