160 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENING 



4. Hardwood Cuttings. — Cuttings of ripe wood six inches or 

 more in lengtli sliould be taken in tlie fall after the leaves have 

 dropped. From some plants the cuttings may be made any time 

 during the winter or early spring. Cuttings should be made from 

 the newest growth and the strongest shoots are selected (Fig. 91). 

 The cuttings may be tied into bundles of twenty-five to one hundred 

 each, and a label placed with them. Store them in damp sawdust 

 in a cold cellar. In late spring set them in furrows in the garden, 

 with one or two buds showing above ground (Fig. 92). Press the 



soil firmly against them after 

 setting. Simple hardwood cut- 

 tings should be made of, grape- 

 vine, willow, spirea, dogwood, 

 currant, gooseberry, hardy Jap- 

 anese rose, and others. 



All woody plants are not 

 readily propagated by cut- 

 tings,- but gardeners have 

 found. that this method is 

 the best for a great many 

 kinds, in addition to those 

 here mentioned. 



5. Root Cuttings. — Dig up 



roots of blackberry, quince, 

 Fio. 91.— Four types of hardwood ouIh l«>rseradish, or rhubarb. ' These 

 tings. Many shrubs are propagated by some may be stored in wet sand in a 

 one pf these types. , ,, .» , 



cool cellar, if the season for 



planting has not arrived. In the spring, plant them in shallow 

 furrows in garden rows. These should be cut into pieces, not too 

 small, before planting. 



With proper care, root cuttings seldom fail to grow. 

 There is a store of starch and other plant-food in the roots of 

 such plants as sprout from the roots. Adventitious buds on 

 sprouts are formed on the roots near the cut surfaces and 

 elsewhere. Shoots are -sent up from these buds. The sweet 

 potato is a true root and its growth when planted is explained 

 in this way. Very many shoots are formed from a single 

 sweet potato. 



