AERIAL LAYERING 



81 



first be twisted or ringed so that it is slightly injured. This 

 injury will stimulate the plant to send out roots. In some 

 plants roots will form at each node, and in a short time 

 several young plants will be developed from this branch. 

 When the plants are well established, they are cut apart 

 and each one set in a new location. 



Fig. 28. — Trench and serpentine layering. 



Serpentine Layering. — ^The serpentine layer is similar to 

 that of the trench layer. It is usually practised on plants 

 which have long flexible branches, as the grape. The name 

 serpentine is taken from the way the branch is bent. Ser- 

 pentine layering is done by bending the branch in an undu- 

 lating manner and the roots form from every covered part. 

 As soon as the roots develop, the top begins to grow, and 

 when the plants are well established they are cut apart and 

 set in their new location. 



Fig. 29. — Aerial layering of the oleander. Note the moss is held around 

 the branch by a divided flower pot. 



Aerial Layering. — Aerial layering is propagation in which 

 no soil is used as a medium in which to root the plants. Aerial 

 6 



