PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 99 



and stored in a moderately dry, airy place, until it is the 

 proper season for growth, and are thought to grow better 

 in consequence of their surplus moisture being evaporated. 

 The corras or bulbs of the crocus, thus treated, produce bet- 

 ter plants and stronger flowers. Removal gives an oppor- 

 tunity for changing the soil before the bulbs are reset. 

 There are, however, many scaly bulbs, as the lily, that are 

 injured if long out of the ground, and if not planted again 

 at the proper season, the strength of the plant is much 

 diminished. Bulbs generally like a light, rich, sandy soil, 

 well pulverized, and most bulbs and tubers require to be 

 planted more deeply than seeds. 



Tubers may be taken up when mature, and kept until 

 the proper season for replanting. They may generally be 

 cut into as many pieces as they have eyes, and each eye 

 will produce a plant. The tubers of the Chinese yam have 

 no visible buds, but if cut into pieces and planted, buds 

 will push out from the wrinkles that appear upon its surface. 



Runners are thrown out by the strawberry and many 

 other plants. They spring from the crown of the plant, 

 deriving from it their nourishment, and at a greater or less 

 distance from the parent plant throw out a bud above and 

 small projections or rudiments of roots, which, in favora- 

 ble conditions, strike into the soil and help to nourish the 

 young plant above. The growing point of the runner 

 extends to form another new plant beyond. Runners 

 cannot well take root in dry weather, but in contact with 

 moist soil the roots soon strike. To facilitate the rooting, 

 the joint is often pegged down, or a small stone placed 

 over it a little behind the bud, which preserves the earth 

 in a moist condition as well as keeps the joint close to the 

 soil. If it is desired to obtain as many plants as possible, 

 do not permit the parent-plant to waste its vigor in pro- 

 ducing flowers and fruit, but cut off the flower stalks as 

 they appear. If strong plants are desired, stop each run- 



