PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 



201 



cut off as close to the stem as can be done without injury 

 to the bark. If much of it is left and buried in the soil, it 

 is apt to rot and produce decay in the cutting i t self. If an 

 old leaf or two is left, it will elaborate more sap for the 

 formation of new roots than the very young ones. Cut- 

 tings of succulent plants, like the cacti, geranium, etc., 



require to dry a little that 

 the wound may heal over 

 before inserting in the 

 soil. 



The grape is often pro- 

 pagated from a single 

 eye — a mode now very 

 much in use for new varie- 

 ties. These cuttings, 

 shaped in one of the form,-! 

 shown in Figure 84, arc 1 

 planted in small pots un- 

 der glass, the surface kept 

 damp, and bottom heal ap- 

 plied. They soon take, and 

 form the best vines. 



The substances in which 

 cuttimis are struck are va- 



Fig. 83— Geranium Cutting. 



etc., will root in common 



vious. Many plants, as 



chrysanthemums, currants, 

 garden soil. Powdered char- 

 coal, brick dust, and even pure water are employed, but 

 the most useful substance is pure silver sand, white, 

 clean and fine. Sea sand must not be used, unless all 

 saline matter is washed out. Sand contains little food 

 for plants, and they need little until the roots are formed, 

 but it is free from matters which induce decay. It is 

 porous and gives ready passage for the young rootlets, 

 and, being fine, retains moisture by capillary attraction. 



