PKOPAGATION OF PLANTS. 197 



strawberry, also those of the gourd and melon family, 

 readily intermix. So also do those of the rose. But no 

 one has succeeded in crossing the apple with the pear, or 

 the gooseberry with the currant, though in both cases 

 they are species of the same genus. Still less will such 

 totally different plants as oranges and pomegranates 

 intermix. 



Our flower gardens in modern times have been greatly 

 enriched by cross breeding and hybridizing. Thus have 

 originated a great number of new aud beautiful roses, 

 rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, fuchsias, dahlias, etc., 

 so beautiful in color and perfect in form and habit. 



Propagation by Division. — Every other mode of pro- 

 pagating plants, except by seed, whether it be by bulbs, 

 tubers, runners, suckers, parting the roots, layers, cut- 

 tings, budding or grafting, is effected by a division of the 

 plant to be increased. 



Bulbs. — Propagation by division, in the case of bulbs 

 or tubers, is analogous to sowing seeds. The new bulbs 

 may be separated when the leaves of the mother-plant 

 decay. The onion, hyacinth, tulip, etc., are generally 

 taken up and stored in a moderately dry, airy place, until 

 it is the proper season for growth, and are thought to 

 grow better in consequence of their surplus moisture be- 

 ing evaporated. The corms or bulbs of the crocus, thus 

 treated, produce better plants and stronger flowers. Be- 

 moval gives an opportunity for changing the soil before 

 the bulbs are reset. There are, however, many scaly 

 bulbs, as the lily, that are injured if long out of the 

 ground, and if not planted again at the proper season, 

 the strength of the plant is much diminished. Bulbs 

 generally like a light, rich, sandy soil, well pulverized, 

 and most bulbs and tubers require to be planted more 

 deeply than seeds. 



Tubers may be taken up when mature, and kept until 



