208 



GAEDENIKG FOR THE SOUTH. 



Some plants will strike roots if the ends of the cuttings 

 are kept in water of the proper temperature. Bottles, 

 vials, and jars are used to hold the water, but as light is 

 rather an obstacle to the ready formation of roots, if the 

 vessel is transparent it should be shaded. As soon as the 

 roots begin to appear, the cuttings should be taken from 

 the water and planted in fine soil, which must be kept 



moist, and the plants 

 carefully shaded until 

 they take fresh root. 



Insertion. — Cuttings 

 of hardy plants that 

 strike readily in the 

 open air are some- 

 times inserted with a 



i 



yA 



' 



to cut off by a line a 

 straight edge in the 

 dug soil, and place 

 the prepared cuttings 

 against it, pressing 

 the soil closely around 

 them. These are usu- 

 ally set perpendicu- 

 larly. If the cuttings 

 are long, they can be 

 set in a sloping direc- 

 tion so as to be within reach of atmospheric influences. 

 If not herbaceous, they should be inserted so deep that 

 but two buds will be above the surface, and in the vine 

 but one. Herbaceous cuttings are inserted less deeply. 



When small cuttings are planted under glass, a pointed 

 stick of proper size is used. Many kinds may be planted 

 all over the surface of the spot, but most do better when 

 inserted near the sides or bottom of the pot, and take root 



Fig. 84 — Three Forms of Grape Cuttings. 



