Propagation 57 



this process is not commercially profitable, but 

 the ease with which late cuttings can be made 

 into strong plants should encourage the amateur 

 to try it. 



A method of propagation seldom met with in 

 this country is that of making "pot roots." 

 Commercially, it should be profitable, as the 

 roots so made are as easily handled as field-grown 

 tubers, and make quite as fine plants. There is 

 not nearly as much loss in handling them as there 

 is in the handling of green plants, and as cuttings 

 for them are usually taken from plants growing 

 in the field, they are stronger and more easily 

 rooted. 



They are rooted in sand, planted in four-inch 

 pots, are plunged close together in the ground, 

 and grown as slowly as possible all summer. 

 When frost threatens they are lifted into the 

 greenhouse, watered regularly, and allowed to 

 grow on. The soil in the pots should be friable, 

 so that tubers may develop easily, and every 

 flower bud should be cut off promptly to en- 

 courage root growth. When in January plump 

 little tubers have formed, watering is done 

 sparingly, and finally ceases. The tops dry up, 

 and the pots are set out of the way, in the cool 

 storage room, until needed in spring. 



The amateur who has no greenhouse may 



