78 



THE NURSERY-MANUAL 



FIG. 73. 



Compound layer- 

 ing-pot. 



are seen in Figs. 74 and 75. The 

 trays are filled with earth or moss, and 

 the branches are laid in through the 

 chinks in the border and are treated in 

 the same way as ordinary outdoor 

 layers. Although such racks may not 

 be used by American gardeners, they 

 are nevertheless suggestive; they pro- 

 vide a neat and con- 

 venient means of increasing greenhouse 

 plants which do not readily strike from cut- 

 tings. 



When layers do not give strong plants, 

 they may be divided into portions, each 

 bearing a bit of root, and treated as ordinary 

 cuttings. This is an important operation 

 in the case of rare varieties which are mul- 

 tiplied by means of soft or green layers, as FIG. 74. Kier's layer- 

 some of the large-flowered clematises and 

 new varieties of grapes. The small weak plants are handled 



in a cool greenhouse or under frames, 

 usually in pots, and they soon make 

 strong specimens. 



The term Chinese layering applied 

 to this class of work suggests interest- 

 ing oriental practices. The Chinese 

 make what is called a "gootee," 

 which is a ball of clay plastered 

 around the ring or girdle and covered 

 with moss or fiber to hold it to- 

 gether. The ball is then kept moist 

 by a stream of water that slowly 

 seeps down a soft cord. A recep- 



FIG. 75. Kier s circular layer- . 



ing-rack. tacle ot water is secured above the 



