148 PEOPAGATION" OF PLANTS. 



almost any treatment, while others require all the care 

 that can possibly be bestowed upon them to insure the 

 emission of roots and their future growth. 



Success in growing such cuttings in the open air often 

 depends as much upon the condition of the soil and the 

 mode of planting as upon their proper selection and care 

 during the preparatory stages. The soil in which cut- 

 tings are planted in the open ground should be deep, of 

 a porous nature, and composed of materials that will 

 absorb and retain a regular supply of moisture. The 

 variation of climate should be attended with a corres- 

 ponding Tariation in soil, which in warm latitudes should 

 contain powerful absorbents, so that it will not become 

 too dry in summer ; while a soil for the same purpose in 

 the more northern latitudes would be better without 

 these absorbents. In this latitude a loamy soil of fine 

 texture is perhaps the best ; one that is not so fine as to 

 cake and crack on the surface after heavy showers, or 

 so loose that it will not retain sufficient moisture to sup- 

 ply the wants of the cuttings. The amount of moisture 

 required by cuttings varies greatly in different species, 

 some requiring little, while others a very large amount. 

 The Poplars, Willows, Sycamore and many other kinds 

 of trees and shrubs will grow readily, even if the lower 

 end of the cuttings are immersed in water containing but 

 very little nutriment. But, as a general rule, cuttings 

 do not require more moisture than is held in suspen- 

 sion m well drained and friable soils. 



Rank substances, such as undecayed vegetable and ani- 

 mal matter, should never be allowed near cuttings ; and 

 where it may be necessary to use manure, it should always 

 be old, well decomposed, and thoroughly intermingled 

 with the soil, and applied some time before the cuttings 

 are planted. 



Some propagators plant their cuttings and then cover 

 the surface of the ground with manure, the juices of 



