CONIFERS FROM CUTTINGS. 



53 



produced, which in some cases will take six months, 

 while in others they will appear in a less number of 

 weeks. Our object in all such cases is to give the cut- 

 t in-'s a chance to throw out roots before the top is forced 

 into growth, as will usually follow placing the cuttings 

 in full light and in a warm atmosphere. 



In all cases where ripe cuttings are employed for prop- 

 agating evergreens, time must be given for the cuttings 

 to become well furnished with a callus on the lower end, 

 before they are forced into 

 growth, else they are certain 

 to fail. Sometimes the cut- 

 tings are kept through win- 

 ter in a moderately warm 

 room, and in spring placed 

 in a hot-bed, where they 

 will receive bottom heat to 

 assist in the production of 

 roots, and forcing a growth 

 of the tops. The propaga- 

 tor can always learn how 

 his cuttings are progressing, 

 by taking out a few oc- 

 casionally and examining 

 the condition of the callus 

 at their base. If after 

 they have been planted two 

 months or more no cal- 

 lus is to be seen, he must give a little more heat, or if 

 they are in a cold frame in the open ground, add a little 

 more covering. Small evergreens are sometimes potted 

 and kept in a green-house during winter, and when they 

 have made a new growth, this is taken off for cuttings, 

 which grow very quickly when placed in a confined at- 

 mosphere, and a high temperature. But such methods 

 of propagation are seldom practised, except by nursery- 



Fig. 19. CUTTING OF CYPRESS. 



