THE GARDEN AT HOME 



cuttings may be taken and made to form roots, namely, 

 those of green or soft growth, and those of mature or 

 more or less hardened growth. The former form roots 

 more quickly than the latter, and are chiefly made use of 

 in increasing greenhouse or tender plants, while cuttings 

 of ripened growth are most generally employed in pro- 

 pagating hardy trees and shrubs. Common examples of 

 cuttings taken from the green, growing shoots are found 

 in Geranium, Fuchsia, Coleus, Chrysanthemum, Tree 

 Carnation, and in many others. Flowering Currant, Rose, 

 Privet, and Thorn furnish familiar instances in which the 

 matured growth is used. The best type of green or soft 

 cutting is a shoot from 2 J inches to 3 inches long ; it should 

 be only of medium size, neither thin and " spindly " 

 nor coarse and sappy, but fairly firm. It is prepared 

 by the removal of the two lowest leaves, and by cutting 

 through immediately below a joint ; that is to say, 

 below the lowest leaf (or leaves, as the case may be) 

 removed. Growths possessing flower buds should at all 

 times be avoided if sufficient others can be procured ; 

 they do not make good cuttings. 



Cuttings form roots best in sandy soil and with sand 

 immediately about their base ; for this reason it is 

 recommended that before the cuttings are inserted a 

 covering of sand be placed on the surface of the soil, 

 then when a hole is made to receive the cutting some 

 of the loose sand will fall into it, and so form a dry base 

 for the cutting to rest on. The most important item in 



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