A Few Explanations and Directions 



those portions of the plants which have been exposed to full 

 light and air, for, if the shoots or branches of a plant, are not in 

 a condition to make growth with a supply of nourishment from 

 roots of the parent plant, they cannot, when made into cuttings, 

 be expected to possess sufficient energy to produce good plants. 

 A good cutting should possess a certain degree of firmness also, 

 for, if the shoot is exceedingly soft and full of sap, it will not 

 root so freely as one which is more mature. 



Cuttings of deciduous trees and shrubs should be taken off 

 after the fall of the leaf and before the rise of the sap in Spring. 

 The buds on the underground part of the cutting should be 

 rubbed off. In making a cutting of a soft-wooded plant, the 

 leaf should be cut off close to the stem on the part which is under- 

 ground when the cutting is set or planted. 



In planting a cutting of a deciduous tree or shrub, it is well 

 to plant two-thirds of the cutting underground, one-third only 

 being allowed to remain above the soil. 



When making cuttings, a smooth, thin-bladed, very sharp 

 knife should be used, so that the cut is clean and smooth. A 

 blunt or rough-edged knife leaves a rough, bruised surface which 

 rarely gives good results. When the cuttings have been selected 

 and a sharp knife provided, take each cutting in the left hand, 

 remove three or four of the lower leaves close to the stem and 

 cut through the stem in a slightly slanting direction immediately 

 below a bud or joint. The cutting is then ready to be planted, 

 and should, as soon as possible, be placed in the soil in the 

 position where it is to root. 



PROPAGATION BY SUCKERS. 



Suckers are underground shoots and should be taken up with 

 all their roots attached. They may be taken up at any time when 

 the parent plant or tree may be safely removed. 



[3i5] 



