CUT FLOWERS UNDER GLASS 97 



if you can be sure of getting good properly 

 developed plants propagated from healthy 

 stock. Look out especially for the eel worm. 

 This flourishes most vigorously in a dry 

 soil and is now not common in commercial 

 stock. The plant raiser is very particular 

 for his own sake to clear out diseased plants, 

 and he takes great precautions against eel 

 worm by sterilising his soil with steam. The 

 amateur is unlikely to attempt this. On the 

 other hand, if the home stock is good it is 

 well to propagate from that. 



MAKING CUTTINGS 



In home propagation the cuttings should 

 be taken from the plants in the benches 

 during January. Select flowering wood for 

 propagation. Take the last (say) six eyes 

 on the stem for cuttings, making them two 

 or three eyed. Insert in a propagating bed 

 in sand with a bottom heat of 70 degrees and 

 a temperature of 55 to 58 degrees. 



Before putting in the sand for propagation 

 the benches should be thoroughly white- 

 washed and drainage provided. Place the 

 boards one-half inch apart, covering the 

 cracks with either moss or excelsior; over 



