PROPAGATION BY LAYERS AND RUNNERS 



75 



FIG. 65. Layering-pot. 



As a rule, the best season for mak- 

 ing layers is in spring. Rooting pro- 

 gresses rapidly in that season. Many 

 plants "bleed" if layered very early in 

 the season. Hardy shrubs may be 

 layered in autumn, either early or late, 

 and if an incision is made, a callus will 

 have formed by spring. 



If rapid multiplication is desired, the 



soft and growing shoots may be layered in summer. This oper- 

 ation is variously known as "summer," "herbaceous," "green" 

 and "soft" layering. Comparatively feeble plants usually 

 result from this practice, and it is not in common favor. 



In glass houses, shoots are sometimes layered in pots instead 

 of in the earth; and the same is often practiced with straw- 

 berries in the field, giving the "pot-grown plants" of the 

 nurserymen. The French have "layering-pots," with a slot 

 in the side (Fig. 65) for the insertion of the shoot. In one 

 style of pot, the slot extends from the rim down the entire 

 length of the side and half-way across the bottom (Fig. 66). 



From what has now been said of layerage, the reader will 

 perceive that it may be employed either for the outright pro- 

 duction of new plants, or as a means of starting 

 or "striking" plants. In the latter case, the 

 layer plants, after having been separated from 

 the parent, are set in nursery rows and there 

 grown for one season; and in this way 

 stronger and more shapely plants may be ob- 

 tained. As a general statement, it may be 

 ^jj ^^ bush-like or vine-like plants that do 

 not strike readily from cuttings, nor produce 

 seeds freely, or of which the seeds are very slow to germinate, 

 are to be multiplied by layerage. 



FIG. 66. Layer- 

 ing-pot, another 

 form. 



