Propagating and Shipping Young Stock 



future constitution of the plant, and for this reason rooting cuttings in high 

 temperatures should be avoided. 



As soon as the roots have grown from one-quarter to one-half an inch 

 in length the cuttings should be taken out of the sand and potted up. How- 

 ever, if they are to be shipped to a considerable distance, it will be neces- 

 sary to leave them in the sand several days longer, as when the roots are 

 so very young they are brittle and are apt to be shaken off during the proc- 

 ess of packing and shipping. While cuttings are in a better condition for 

 potting up when the roots are young than those that have been allowed to 

 remain in the sand until the wood, as well as the roots, has become hardened 

 and tough, they will not ship as well, and many rootlets will be lost. When 

 potted, the younger cuttings will start into growth sooner after potting than 

 the older, tougher stock. 



Packing Cuttings for Shipment 



Cuttings designed for shipment to any considerable distance should not 

 be taken from the sand until the rootlets have made a growth of three- 

 quarters of an inch to an inch in length. . In removing them from the sand 

 it should be very carefully done, so as not to destroy or break off the root- 

 lets. When taken from the sand the cuttings should be at once placed in 

 a cool situation, and under no circumstances should they be allowed to re- 

 main exposed to the sun's rays, or drying winds or heat, as such exposure 

 will cause them to flag or wilt. The sand from which they are taken should 

 be fairly moist, but not surcharged with water. In shipping long distances, 

 and for the purposes of light packing, we frequently wash the sand from 

 the roots by dipping them in a pail of water. If this is carefully done the 

 roots are less liable to be broken or rubbed off in packing than if the sand 

 is left adhering. 



In packing, fine, clean sphagnum moss should be used, and this should 

 be wetted down some time previously in order to have it equally well 

 moistened throughout. It should not be wringing wet, but in a state to 

 retain a fair degree of moisture for a number of days. Both moss and cut- 

 tings should be in a cool condition before packing. If kept in a temperature 

 of 45 to 50 degrees they will be in the right condition to pack. If packed 

 in a high temperature, it will tend to cause heating during transit, espe- 

 cially in the spring or warm months. 



It is best to pack cuttings in bunches of twenty-five ; not exceeding fifty 

 in any case. In packing, sheets of strong, soft paper (old newspapers), 

 cut to about nine to twelve inches in size, should be provided. Lay a small 



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