OF PBOPAGATION BY CUTTINGS. 201 



granulations of cellular substance or the lower or 

 wounded end, before the powers of absorption by the 

 alburnum were aroused, and so to protect themselves 

 against a too copious supply cf aqueous matter before 

 the growing bud could dispose of it by its leaves 

 (64). This protection is afforded by the thinnest 

 stratum of new cellular tissue, which covers over the 

 ends of the wounded vessels, and acts as a vital filter 

 through which all the crude food must pass from the 

 soil. 



4. The lower end of the cuttings was so divided as 

 to be parallel with the bottom of the pot; and it 

 appears from the context, although it is not expressly 

 so stated, that this end was to touch the bottom of 

 the pot. The importance of this precaution is well 

 known ; cuttings of the Lemon and Orange, which 

 are by no means willing to strike if it is neglected, 

 become young plants readily if it is attended to ; and 

 in all difficult cases it is had recourse to. The object 

 of it seems to be to place the absorbent or root end 

 of the cutting in a situation where, while it is com- 

 pletely drained of water, it may, nevertheless, be in 



better practice in so mild a climate as that of England ; and is pre- 

 ferable, even in this country, with all very hardy shrubs, as the 

 Currant, <fcc. But in the case of those -which are more tender in the 

 bark, as some of the varieties of the common Althaea, the severe 

 frost of our winters often seriously injures or destroys the cuttings. 

 When of moderate size, they are also liable to be thrown out by the 

 heaving of the ground in spring: we therefore generally prefer 

 early spring planting, for cuttings. But they often succeed best 

 when they are taken off in November, kept in damp mould in the 

 cellar through the winter, and carefully planted in March or April. 

 A. J. D.] 



