144 PEOPAGATIOK OS PLANTS. 



heat answers the same purpose for opening the pores and 

 admitting moisture to the seed proper ; and while in cold 

 climates, nuts and other hard shelled seeds are placed 

 where tliey will freeze in winter, the same kinds sprout 

 just as freely in hot climates, provided they are kept 

 moist and warm during the same season. 



OHAPTEE XI. 

 PROPAGATION BY CUTTINGS. 



Of Matube Growth. — There are many kinds of trees 

 and shrubs that are readily propagated by cuttings of the 

 mature or ripenedwood. Sometimes wood two or more 

 years old is used for this purpose, but with most kinds 

 that of one season's growth produces roots more readily. 

 The cuttings are usually taken from the parent stock in 

 the fall of the year, as soon as the leaves of deciduous 

 plants will part from the stem. without injuiy to the buds 

 adjacent. 



Autumn is also a proper time to make cuttings of many 

 kinds of evergreen plants, particularly those of hardy 

 trees and shrubs indigenous to temperate climates. A 

 branch, when it ceases to grow in summer or autumn, 

 contains a large amount of matter which has not assumed 

 any special form or structure, and it is therefore in a 

 proper condition either to produce roots or branches. 

 With some kinds of plants it can be made to produce the 

 former very readily ; with others it is quite difficult, 

 simply because we have not discovered the proper condi- 

 tion necessary for their development ; and it is just here 

 that we come upon the great secret in the propagation of 

 plaats— ?*. e., woiier ¥bat coaditious should cuttings of 



