86 PROPAGATION. 



II. Layers. 



A layer is a low side-shoot bent down and buried at the 

 middle in the soil, Fig. 26. The buried portion strikes root, 

 when it is taken ofiE and planted separately. Its advantages 

 over a cutting is, that it is nourished by the parent plant 

 while the roots are forming. Hence many plants which can- 

 not be increased by cuttings, and indeed with great difficulty 

 by budding and grafting, may be propagated readily by 

 layers. 



When roots are freely emitted, as from the grape, simply 

 bending the middle of the branch into the soil is enough to 



Fig. z6.— Layeringr. Fig. 27.— Slitting layers. 



insure success. But in cases of difficulty, other expedients 

 are resorted to; one of the most common is to split a portion 

 upward, immediately under a bud (Fig. 27), which enables 

 the newly forming roots to pass freely and at once into the 

 soil without the resistance of the thick bark which they other- 

 wise must pierce. Sometimes the branch is cut partly off to 

 intercept the downward passage of the fluids, and induce 

 the formation of roots. At other times a wire ligature, or 

 the removal of a narrow ring of bark, effects the same pur- 

 pose. Burying the layer several inches under the surface is 

 necessary, to keep it in moist earth ; and in drouth, mulching 

 would be beneficial. A small excavation of the soil at the 

 spot is convenient ; and when the branch is stiff, it must be 

 fastened down with a forked stick. 



The excavation should be made with a spade. Use both 

 hands in bending the shoot, so that it may not be bent too 

 short and break. If properly done, it will press against the 



