Hints on Propagating Mistletoe from the Berry.’ 
BY 
WILLIAM PAXTON, 
The best tree for growing mistletoe on is a young Siberian 
Crab, with a stem below branches of about four feet in height. 
Young apple-trees are suitable also, and, in general, soft-wooded 
trees, such as the rowan. The best time for sowing is spring, 
about April, and the berries must have been freshly gathered 
within afew days. There are male and female mistletoe plants, 
which must be grown near each other in order to produce 
berries on the female plant. 
Select a branch of from one to two inches in diameter, with 
clean, smooth bark, free from roughness or inequalities of any 
kind; also free from little side twigs from which birds could ~ 
pick the berries. No incision, scratch, or bruise is to be made 
on the surface of the bark. his is of the utmost importance. 
_ Take the berry between the finger and thumb and gently 
squeeze out the seed on to the bark, throwing away the skin. 
The seed will readily adhere by the viscid substance which is 
contained in the berry. The seed should not be rubbed in any 
way, but simply placed on the branch. In a short time the 
gummy substance dries up, leaving the seed firmly adhering 
to the branch. Several seeds should be placed together, or 
near each other, as probably only one out of half-a-dozen will 
grow. 
Shortly after the berries have been placed a young green 
process appears, which turns towards the bark, and ultimately 
fixes itself there by a disk, but a year will have to elapse before 
it can be seen whether the seedling will grow or not. 
'As we receive frequently applications for information upon this subject, 
this note by Mr. William Paxton of Orchardton, Fountainhall Road, Edin- 
burgh, an enthusiastic and successful cultivator of mistletoe, should be 
generally useful.—Regius Keeper. 
(Notes, R.G.B,, Edin., No. V, 1901, | 
