Gardening in Californi 



PROPAGATION BY LAYERING. 



A Layer is a branch or shoot, part of which is introduced into 

 the soil and strikes root while fed by the parent plant. The 

 operation is effected by simply bending down and burying, about 

 an inch deep in the soil, the branch or shoot to be layered, and 

 preventing it from springing up, by placing over it a hooked 

 peg firmly set in the ground. Before pegging it down, cut a slit 

 in a slanting direction half through the shoot or branch; bend 

 the shoot downward and place it about an inch deep in the 

 ground. Fasten it securely with the hooked peg; then bend the 

 point of the shoot upward until the slit in the shoot is opened 

 enough to allow a very little fine soil to enter the slit. Secure 

 the foot of the shoot by tying it to a stake, care being taken not 

 to sever the layer entirely from the parent plant. Cover the 

 slit portion with some light sandy soil and give a good watering. 

 In a short time, the layers will emit roots. When the layer has 

 rooted freely, sever the young plant from the parent plant and 

 treat as recommended for young trees or plants. 



OFFSETS. 



Offsets are short, lateral branches or shoots which root where 

 they rest on the soil or under its surface and thus serve for 

 propagation. 



NURSERY Rows. 



"Plant in nursery rows" is a term frequently used in the fore- 

 going chapters. A "nursery" is a place where trees, shrubs or 

 other plants are raised and grown for transplanting. The young 

 plants are generally set out in lines or rows, hence the term "plant 

 in nursery rows." 



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