CHAPTER V 

 CUTTINGS AND' LAYERINGS 



Two of the most common methods of bud propagation are by 

 cuttings and by layering. 



Stems and Roots Compared. — There are several differences 

 between true stems and roots. The student must not confuse 

 underground stems with true roots. We seldom find roots grow- 

 ing above ground, particularly in woody plants, but we do fre- 

 quently find stems underground. Among the differences between 

 stems and roots may be mentioned (1) regularly placed buds 

 on stems and none on roots, (2) scales or leaves are found near 

 the buds on stems. These are entirely absent from roots. (3) 

 Ability of stems to send up shoots at the nodes. Roots seldom 

 have the ability to send up shoots. There are some exceptions to 

 this as we will notice later. 



CUTTINGS 



Types of Cuttings. — There are three main types of cuttings: 

 (1) root cuttings or pieces of root are used; (2) hard wood cuttings, 

 sometimes called ripe wood cuttings; (3) green wood, or soft wood 

 cuttings. Each of these types has its particular use, and plants 

 which are propagated by one of the methods are seldom propagated 

 by another form of cutting. 



Root Cuttings. — When plants are propagated by cuttings made 

 of the true roots the roots are cut from the mature plants and are 

 madeof suitable length, say three to six inches. Thesearedropped 

 in furrows and covered. They may or may not be stored over 

 winter according to the circumstances or needs of the grower. One 

 of the most common plants using this method of propagation is the 

 common blackberry. The dewberry which is a close relative may' 

 also be propagated by root cuttings. 



It may be said that sweet potatoes are propagated by root cut- 

 tings as they will grow readily from pieces of sweet potato, which 

 are really true roots. There are no regular buds on the sweet potato 

 or on the blackberry roots; the shoots are formed at any suitable 

 place. There is no regularity about the arrangement of the shoots 

 arising from these roots. 



39 



