CHAPTER XXXII 



Cuttings 



A cutting is a branch separated from the 

 parent plant and placed in conditions suit- 

 able for the development of adventitious roots. 

 The branch is placed in the ground in a moist 

 position where the temperature is mild and 

 the evaporation will be slow. For delicate 

 cuttings the shelter of a glass bell is often 

 necessary so as to keep the surrounding air 

 sufficiently damp and to prevent the branch 

 from drying up before it has acquired the roots 

 to compensate for its loss. As an additional 

 precaution, if there are many leaves on the 

 branch most of the lower ones are removed, 

 in order to diminish the evaporating surface 

 without affecting the vitality of the plant, 

 which is strongest at the top. In many cases 

 this precaution is not required, and for the 

 vine, willow, or poplar, it suffices to place the 

 cutting in the ground. 



Plants with soft wood full of juice are 



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