356 HORTICULTURE. 



off a branch, inserting it in fine mould, and subjecting it to 

 a moist, warm air. The roots, as well as the branches come 

 from the buds. This is shown by the fact, that the vine, 

 when it grows in a warm, damp stove, emits roots into the air 

 which proceed from buds. Roots, however, seem to be form- 

 ed by the action of the leaves ; branches are developments of 

 buds, and the buds are maintained by the matter in the tree. 



Cuttings may be placed in fine mould in pots, and then 

 either subjected to a moderate hot-bed, or covered with glass 

 and exposed to the direct rays of the sun. 



Layers are similar to cuttings, the only difference is that 

 they are attached to the parent branch, until the roots are 

 established. The branch is bent into the earth and half cut 

 through at the bend, and as soon as it has taken root it is 

 separated from the parent stalk. 



Suckers are branches thrown up from the base of the plant, 

 and are one means of continuing and propagating the same 

 varieties. 



Ill, Grafting and budding are operations, which consist 

 in causing one plant to grow upon the stock or branch of an- 

 other. This process differs from that of propagation by eyes 

 and cuttings, only in the circumstance, that in the former 

 case, a part of one individual, containing an eye, is inserted 

 into another of the same family, and the two form one unique 

 compound individual ; while, in the latter case, the eye is 

 made to send its roots down into the soil, and to derive its sup- 

 port from it. One process, is the inserting of an eye into 

 another tree, the other is, the inserting of it into the ground. 

 The object of these operations, is the same as that of layers, 

 cuttings, etc., to continue the same variety, or to improve it. 

 It is particularly applicable to those plants or trees (as the 

 apple, pear, peach, etc.) which are not easily propagated in 

 any other way. There are also many advantages secured, 

 especially in the character of the fruit. 



J. Some varieties or species are nmch more hardy than 



