EXERCISE XV 



A STUDY OF HARDWOOD, OR DORMANT, CUTTINGS 



Material and apparatus. Currant and gooseberry branches 

 and rooted cuttings of each; sharp knife. 



Hardwood cuttings are made from the dormant, or mature, 

 wood of dicotyledonous plants, and should be cut just below a 

 node because they form roots more promptly if cut at this point. 

 They are .usually taken in the fall or the early winter and stored 

 in a cool place in sand so that they will callus over before being 

 planted the following spring. 



1. Study hardwood cuttings of the currant and the goose- 

 berry. These cuttings should be about six inches in length, and, 

 if the weather permits, the students should be allowed to collect 

 then* own cuttings from the parent bush. 



Make a natural-size drawing of each of the cuttings. How 

 many buds are usually found on each ? How does the cutting 

 of the currant differ from that of the gooseberry ? What is the 

 age of the wood from which cuttings are taken ? Describe. 



2. Study some cuttings of the currant and the gooseberry that 

 have been stored in damp sand for two months. How do they 

 differ from cuttings just taken ? Make a drawing of the lower 

 end of the cutting, showing the callus tissue. What is the 

 purpose of this tissue ? Label all parts, and discuss. 



3. Study some cuttings that have just started into growth. 

 From what position on the cuttings do the roots come? Ex- 

 plain. What indications are there on the cuttings that roots 

 are forming? Discuss. 



REFERENCES : 



Bailey, " The Nursery Book," chap. iv. 



Goff, M Principles of Plant Culture," pp. 207-218. 



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