HOW TO MAKE SLIPS AND CUTTINGS 



ing off." The usual depth of a cutting in the sand is shown 

 in the illustration. 



Potting Seedlings 



In about three weeks, if the cuttings have kept thrifty, 

 they will probably have rooted, but the way to find out surely 

 is to look at one and see — ^but 

 don't pull it up by the roots. 

 Take in your right hand the 

 flat, sharp-pointed stick or the 

 six-inch pot-label referred to 

 before (which is an excellent 

 tool) ; hold the little cutting lightly in your left hand between 

 thumb and finger, then insert your stick about two inches to 

 the side of the cutting, push it underneath the infant and pry 

 it out carefully. With an expert gardener this is only a second's 

 work, and if the cutting is not rooted it is back in the sand 

 before it has had a chance to feel anything. The illustration 

 shows a chrysanthemum, a fuchsia, and a begonia ready for 

 potting. 



Lifting rooted cuttings 



173 



