60 HORTICULTURE FOR SCHOOLS 



86. Stem-cuttings. Cuttings made from stems or 

 branches must be planted right side up, that is, with the end 

 which grew nearest to the root downward in the soil. For 

 convenience, stem-cuttings can be divided according to the 

 hardness and maturity of their tissue into three classes: (1) 

 hardwood, mature or dormant cuttings; (2) herbaceous, soft- 

 wood or active cuttings; and (3) semi-hardwood cuttings. 



87. Hardwood cuttings (Fig. 35) are made from wood 

 which has completed its growth and has matured. In moist 



tropical countries certain trees may be propagated 

 by breaking off branches and planting them in 

 the ground. In climates like those of the United 

 States and Canada, propagation by hardwood 

 cuttings requires more care. There is a great 

 difference in plants in this regard; for example, 

 pieces of the olive tree split into cordwood will 

 produce roots and foliage if one end is placed in 

 moist soil while it is still green, provided that a 

 strip of living bark is present. Cotton wood 

 fence posts set in moist soil have been known 

 to develop into thriving trees. On the other 

 hand, cuttings of evergreen trees root with 

 difficulty. 



88. Best time for making cuttings. Hard- 

 wo d cuttings are taken either in the autumn 

 ? a f nt he cur " or m 8 P rm S- Cuttings made in the spring 

 are usually planted in the field immediately. 

 Fall cuttings may be stored over winter for spring planting 

 or in mild climates may be planted at once in the field. Fall 

 planting, however, even in mild climates, involves risks. 

 Cuttings of grapes, for example, are likely to rot in the 

 winter because of the moisture in the soil. In cold climates, 

 injury to the wood of the cutting from freezing is common. 

 Hence, in general, it is best to store fall cuttings over winter 

 for spring planting. They may be stored in sand or sawdust 



