CHAPTER V 

 PROPAGATION BY MEANS OF CUTTINGS 



THE regular growth-shoots of plants may grow when severed 

 and placed in earth; as they are cut from the parent, so are 

 such parts known as cuttings. Tubers and dormant shoots 

 and leaves, and even parts of fruits as in certain cacti, may 

 also yield materials for cuttings, propagating the plant. The 

 practice or process of multiplying plants by cuttings, with 

 all the craft and science pertaining thereto, is denominated 

 cuttage. To this entertaining department we now address 

 ourselves. 



1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF CUTTINGS 



Cuttings of growing parts demand a moist and uniform at- 

 mosphere, a porous soil, and sometimes bottom heat. The 

 requirements vary greatly with the different kinds of plants, 

 yet it is possible to make general statements that will be useful 

 in specific application. 



Constructions for regulating moisture and heat 



To secure a uniform and moist atmosphere, various propagat- 

 ing-frames are in common use. These frames and boxes or 

 bell-glasses may be used also for seed propagation, but as they 

 find their greatest application in cuttage, they are described 

 mostly in this chapter. 



Whatever its construction, the frame should be sufficiently 

 tight to confine the air closely ; it should admit light, and allow 



80 



