38 NATURE TEACHING. 



6. Make a similar series of measurements 

 on the aerial roots of corn, Guinea corn, or 

 of the screw-pine ; in these roots growth will 

 be found to extend over a greater region and 

 to be more uniform in its amount than in 

 the case of roots growing in soil. 



PROPAGATION BY CUTTINGS. 



1. It is convenient to grow small cuttings 

 in boxes and to transplant them afterwards 

 into garden beds. Boxes for this purpose are 

 prepared in the same mariner as boxes for 

 seed planting, but, it is desirable to use either 

 sand or very sandy soil. 



2. Having prepared a box proceed to 

 plant cuttings of such plants as roses, crotons, 

 hibiscus or coleus. Select a branch which is 

 fairly firm and woody but not too young and 

 soft. Cut it into pieces of 4 to 6 inches in 

 length, making the cut at the lower end close 

 below a node or joint, as it is from the nodes 

 that roots arise in the largest numbers. Cut 

 off most of the foliage in order to reduce the 

 loss of water which takes place from leaf 

 surfaces (see chapter on leaves) and place the 

 cuttings in the soil, embedding them to a 

 depth of from two to three inches. Compress 

 the soil firmly around the cuttings, for if the 



