PROPAGATION OF PLANTS 11 



helps the formation of roots and also the twig's removal 

 when rooted. For layers, young wood is taken and three 

 or four leaves and buds are exposed beyond the imbedded 

 portion. The best time for layering is from the middle 

 of June to September. 



Divisions. — Many shrubs are increased by the division 

 of the whole clump into two or more portions, each being 

 set out into new ground. The best season for this pur- 

 pose is the fall, and this is especially true of those plants 

 having fleshy roots, as the p?eonies. 



Grafting and Budding. — Plants which are half hardy in 

 any region are rendered more hardy by grafting them 

 on roots of nearly related but hardier species. Low 

 spreading plants are sometimes grafted on erect-growing 

 forms at the height of five to eight feet to produce um- 

 brella or weeping trees. The so-called Kilmarnock wil- 

 low, the weeping mulberry, and the Catalpa Bungei are 

 produced in this way. Peculiar sports can be propagated 

 only by budding or grafting. Beginners should see these 

 processes performed by an expert before undertaking 

 them ; the processes are easy after the methods are learned. 

 Budding takes the place of grafting with plants of more 

 slender or less woody stems, as roses. 



