0013 

 GUIDE. 9 



To make such a mound, rather thick muddy earth is used that will readily take up 

 moisture and retain it for a long time. The mound should be pyramid-shaped with a 

 twenty to twenty-four inch base and approximately the same height. It is pressed around 

 the young branches, and the surface is firmed up so that it is less likely to crack and will 

 keep fresh longer. 



If the layerings need looser soil and more moisture, and if one is counting a lot on 

 their success, a bottomless box of four boards, twenty inches long by eight to ten inches 

 wide, is placed around the cluster. It's filled with suitable soil, covered with a two-inch 

 thick layer of moss, and watered as needed. 



The end of winter, when the ground is thoroughly wet, is the most appropriate 

 season for this kind of layering. No further steps are required. No additional care is 

 needed other than occasional watering during the hottest parts of the summer. In the 

 autumn, it's a good idea to verify that the buried branches have grown sufficient roots so 

 that they can be separated from the stock. If the root ball is substantial, the layers are cut 

 and set in place. If the roots aren't sufficient to nourish the new shrubs, one must wait 

 until the next year to separate them from the parent stock. 



Propagation by layering also is used for some trees and shrubs whose stems are 

 harder than those described above; but these need an additional step in order to grow 

 roots. 



