PROPAGATION BY LAYERAGE 215 



(3) Serpentine or Multiple Layering. When many 

 plants are desired from a single stem, it is pinned to the 

 ground and covered at frequent intervals, thus inducing 

 the plant to form roots at more than one point. After 

 the roots have formed, the vine may be cut between these 

 points, leaving a number of independent plants. The 

 grape and many ornamental vines are readily propagated 

 by this method. 



(4) Mound Layering is another method of obtaining 

 many plants from a single individual. This is performed 

 by cutting back the old plant to the ground early in the 

 spring to stimulate the formation of many new shoots. 

 The succeeding fall or spring the soil is ridged up about 

 the plants high enough to cover the lower nodes of the 

 new branches. From these nodes roots are formed which 

 are sufficiently strong to be separated from the parent 

 plant the following fall. The gooseberry, quince, and 

 many of the ornamental shrubs may be propagated in 

 this manner. 



(5) Air Layering. Sometimes it is impossible to bring 

 a branch in contact with the ground. In such a case, soil 

 or moss is placed around the branch and held in position 

 by some artificial means. If this covering is kept moist, 

 roots will develop and a new plant will form. The rubber 

 plant so common in our homes may be multiplied in this 

 manner. 



EXERCISES 



1. What is propagation by separation? 



2. What is the difference between a corm and a bulb? Are 

 they propagated in the same manner? 



3. What is a rootstock? How can you tell an underground 



