IV. PROPAGATION, &C. 



CHAPTER TV. 



On Propagation and Cultivation in general. 



59. IN order to have good products, we must be care- 

 ful and diligent in the propagation and cultivation of the 

 several plants j for, though nature does much, she will 

 not do all. He who trusts to chance for a crop, de- 

 serves none, and he generally has what he deserves. 



60. The propagation of plants is the bringing of them 

 forth, QT the increasing and multiplying of them. This is ef- 

 fected in several different ways : by seed, by suckers, by off- 

 sets, by layers, by cuttings. But, bear in mind, that all plants 

 from the radish to the oak, may be propagated by the 

 means of seed; while there are many plants which can 

 be propagated by no other means ; and, of these the radish 

 and the oak are two. Let me just qualify here, by ob- 

 serving, that I enter not into the deep question (which 

 so many have puzzled their heads with) of equivocal ge- 

 neration. I confine myself to things of which we have a 

 certain knowledge. 



61. With regard to propagation by means other than 

 that of seed, I shall speak of it fully enough under the 

 names of the several plants, which are, as to the way of 

 propagating them, to be considered as exceptions to the 

 general rule. Therefore, I shall, in the present Chapter, 

 treat of propagation by seed only. 



