CHAPTER IX. 



PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 



PLANTS FROM CUTTINGS. SEEDS AND SEBDLINGS. PLANTS BY MAIL. 



AM pleased to see by your questions that 

 you are not content with depending entirely 

 upon other people for supplies. The propaga- 

 tion of plants by yourselves may not be really 

 necessary to stock your Winter Greeneries ; but 

 it is a work of so much interest that I am not 

 surprised at your undertaking it, and very gladly give 

 you any help within my power. 



PLANTS FROM CUTTINGS. 



The failure with your cuttings is easily accounted for, 

 both place and time having been unfavorable. Compar- 

 atively few cuttings will strike root readily in the ordi- 

 nary soil of pots, and during the cold of midwinter. 

 Florists then succeed only by making the " cutting-bed " 

 several degrees warmer than the surrounding atmosphere, 

 and they always use the cleanest sand. Besides, some 

 plants are very difficult of propagation, and often fail 

 even in the hands of florists ; but with very many you 

 will succeed finely by following a few simple directions. 



1. The best time for your purpose is spring, when 

 nearly all plants start into new life under the increasing 

 light and heat of the sun. The hottest weather of mid- 

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