153 



PEOPAGATIOK OF PLANTS. 



ing kinds of trees, vines and slirnbs of rare kinds, the 

 cutting being laid down in a shallpw trench, or set up' 

 right, and then covered to the depth of a half inch or a 

 little more with light soil, or some material that will 

 retain moisture well, and at the same time permit the 

 young shoots to push readily through it. Single bud, or 

 very short cuttings, when planted in the open ground, 

 require more attention than longer ones, in order to pre- 

 vent injury during di-y weather ; still, with proper care, 

 they will usually make excellent and vigorous plants. 

 As a rule, however, the most convenient lengths for what 

 are called ripe-wood cuttings of deciduous trees and 

 shrubs, are from six to ten inches, although they are often 

 made much longer, which is not only a waste of material, 

 but quite frequently a disadvantage when planting them ;• 

 for in order to bury the cutting its entire length, as usu- 

 ally practised, it must either be set at an acute angle or 

 the lower end placed almost beyond the influence of solar 



heat, an element as essen- 

 tial for the production and 

 growth of roots on cuttings 

 planted in the open air, as 

 for the germination of seeds. 

 Planting cuttings too deep 

 should be avoided, as the 

 farther from the surface 

 Kg. 51.-TKBN0H poB cuTT^Gs. ^.j^gy ^^c the Icss sokr hoat 



they receive, and this is quite necessary to insure rapid 

 growth, especially after they have become well rooted. 



Planting the Cuttings. — The surface of a cutting- 

 bed should be level, smooth, free from lumps and stones. 

 Draw a line across the bed and dig a trench, by placing 

 the back of the spade against the line, pressing it down 

 nearly perpendicularly ; then throw out the soil to one 

 side, making a trench, as shown in figure 51. Place the 

 cuttings against the perpendicular side of the trench, as 



