CHAPTER XXXI 



Layering 



Some plants, such as the carnation, throw 

 out straight, flexible shoots from the base of 

 their stem, by means of which new plants may 

 be provided. These branches are fastened 

 to the ground by bending them into an elbow, 

 which is buried and fixed with a hook. The 

 end is made to stand up and is kept in position 

 by a support. The buried elbow sooner or 

 later produces adventitious roots, and until 

 that occurs the parent stock feeds the 

 branches. As soon as there are a sufficient 

 number of these roots the branches are cut 

 and each root, transplanted separately, be- 

 comes an independent plant. This operation 

 is called layering. 



We will take an instance of the method, the 

 principle of which has been explained. Sup- 

 pose that in a vineyard certain stocks have 

 failed and must be replaced. For this pur- 

 pose layering will be the most convenient 



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