THE NURSERY-LIST 299 



taken as cuttings, without roots, and headed back ; if planted in 

 the field, water is applied frequently so that rooting may be 

 continuous, but care must be taken not to set the crown so deep 

 as to invite decay. It is preferable, however, to allow the 

 suckers to grow on the parent until roots of their own have formed. 



Datisca. Datiscaceoe. 



Increased by seeds, and by dividing old plants. 



Datura, including Brugmansia. Solanaceoe. 



The annual species are propagated by seeds, which are usually 

 started under cover in the North. The perennials are readily 

 grown from cuttings in mild heat. Gardeners like cuttings taken 

 with a heel. 



Davallia. Polypodiacece. 



Propagated largely by division; also by spores. Should be 

 done in spring months. See Ferns, page 312. 



Decumaria. Saxifragacece. 



Cuttings of greenwood may be made in summer in a frame or in 

 greenhouse. Rarely propagated by seeds. 



Delphinium (Larkspur). Ranunculaceae. 



Grown freely from seeds. For early bloom of the annual kinds, 

 seeds are sometimes started indoors. Seedlings of perennials 

 should bloom the second year. The perennials are readily in- 

 creased by division. If the flowering stems are cut away after 

 bloom, new growths will quickly form, and these may be divided 

 in autumn or spring. The perennial larkspurs may also be multi- 

 plied by cuttings, rooted in a shaded frame. The cuttings are 

 taken from new growth in spring, when it is a few inches long, or 

 from the crown or bottom growth after flowering. Cuttings 

 should give blooming plants the following season. 



Dendrobium. Orchidacece. 



When a rapid increase of a new or special variety is required, 

 the pseudobulbs more than one year old may be cut into lengths, 

 and fastened on orchid rafts, with a layer of sphagnum beneath 

 them. Suspend them in a hot moist house, if possible over a 

 water-tank. The advantage of this method is that the young 

 plants do not need shifting after they commence rooting on their 



