44 PROPAGATION BY LAYERS. 



the cuttings, by maintaining their connexion with 

 the main plant, and receiving its nourishment, until 

 roots are formed. When these are freely emitted, 

 simply bending the middle of the branch into the 

 soil is enough to ensure success. But in cases of 

 difficulty, other expedients are resorted to ; one of 

 the most common is to split a portion of it up to the 

 origin of a bud ; which enables the newly forming 

 roots to pass freely and at once into the soil, with- 

 out the resistance of the thick bark, which they 

 otherwise must pierce. Sometimes the branch is 

 cut partly off to intercept the downward passage of 

 the fluids and induce them to form into roots. At 

 other times a wire ligature, or the removal of a 

 narrow ring of bark, effects the same purpose. 

 Burying the layer several inches under the surface 

 is necessary to keep it in moist earth ; and in 

 drouth, moderate watering would be beneficial. 

 A small excavation of the soil at the spot is conve- 

 nient ; and when the branch is stiff, it must be 

 fastened down with a forked stick. 



The excavation should be made with a spade. 

 Use both hands in bending the shoot, so that it 

 may not be bent too short, and break. If properly 

 done, it will press against the nearest side of the 

 hole, rest on the bottom, and rise up, pressing 

 against the opposite side, when it should be fasten- 

 ed, upright, to a small stake. At the time of bend- 

 ing, a sod or other weight may be laid on to keep 



