302 General J^otices. 



in by worms. The author stated that he had also practised root 

 pruning on apple trees, for two years, and has reason to hope for 

 perfect success; as also with plums and cherries. — (Gard. Chron.) 



Slriking plants from buds and leaves. — In the spring of 1S38, pre- 

 viously to his leaving Downton, unfortunately never to return, it 

 occurred to Mr. Knight's inventive mind, that plants might be pro- 

 pagated from single buds and leaves only. Accordingly, he had sev- 

 eral pots filled with fine sandy loam, the pots xoere about twelve 

 inches in diameter, to receive the cuttings, which he prepared him- 

 self. The buds and leaves were cut out as is usually done when 

 intended for insertion in stocks, with but a very small portion of the 

 alburnum to each. The kinds he operated upon were double ca- 

 mellias, magnolias, metrosideros, acacias, nereums, rhododendrons, 

 and many others. The soil in the pots having been previously 

 pressed firmly down, and the surface made perfectly smooth, the 

 cuttings were inserted with a dibber, so as just to cover the bud 

 when the 'soil was pressed firmly against it. The back of the leaf 

 lying on the surface of the mould, was fed by absorbing moisture 

 from it. The surfaces of the pots were quite covered with leaves, 

 but so disposed that they did not overlap each other: they were then 

 gently sprinkled with water, covered with bell-glasses, and placed 

 on the flue of a forcing house. The sprinkling was afterwards fre- 

 quently repeated, and the glasses shaded from the sun by hanging 

 paper over them. In a short time, the buds were seen breaking the 

 surface of the mould, and by the end of summer, had made shoots 

 six and eight inches long, especially the camellias, which were then 

 potted off. The others that had not made equal progress, remained 

 as they were until the following spring, when they likewise were 

 potted, and found firmly rooted. Since that time, I have tried other 

 sorts with equal success; but perhaps plants that have large leaves 

 are best adapted for this mode of culture. — Id. [Striking plants 

 from buds did not originate with Mr. Knight: it was practised some 

 time before his experiments were made. Three years ago, in 1838, 

 the same year mentioned above, Mr. Pickering, late gardener to Mr. 

 Sweetser, propagated many plants after this mode, and some of the 

 camellias are at the present period nearly two feet high. We men- 

 tioned the experiments of Mr. Pickering some time since, (Vol. VI., 

 p. 445,) and Mr. Sweetser has promised us an account of the experi- 

 ments made, the kinds of plants propagated, and the success attend- 

 ing the same: this we hope soon to lay before our readers.' — Ed.'] 



Cultivation of Pelargoniums, as practised by Mr. Catlleagh, one 

 of the most successfid groivers. — About the middle of July, the soil 

 of an open border is prepared for the cuttings. The situation chos- 

 en is exposed to the sun during the middle of the day. In about six 

 v^eeks the cuttings are rooted, and they are then potted in No. 1 

 pots. To keep out the worms, they are set upon a temporary stage, 

 in a shady situation, where they are allowed to remain three weeks, 

 by which time the plants will be established in the pots. They 

 should then be removed to a more exposed place, where the sun and 

 air will properly harden the wood. Here they should remain till 

 they are taken into the house, which is about the end of Septcmiier, 

 or sooner if there is danger of frost. The plants arc stopped at the 



