173 PEOPAGATION OF PLAHTS. 



tardily, or not at all, even under the most careful and 

 skilful manipulation. 



In preparing layers of those plants which produce roots 

 very slowly, it is best to distort that part which is buried 

 as much as possible with safety ; hut with many kinds no 

 disturbance of the natural condition is necessary. With 

 nearly all kinds of climhing and trailing plants, such as 

 Wistarias, Tecomas, Honeysuckles (Lonicera), Grape, 

 Passifloras, etc., it is only necessary to lay the stems in a 

 shallow trench, early in spring, and when the buds push 

 into growth, draw the soil back into place ; thus treated. 



Fig. 65. — ^LATEB or vmts. 



each shoot will produce a plant. Eoots will usually be 

 emitted in abundance the entire length of the old stem, 

 as shown in figui'e 65. 



When roots are not produced as freely as desired, then 

 the layered cane may be bent, as shown in figure 66, 

 a method quite generally practised with the Wistarias, 

 Passifloras, and similar vines, especially when a large 

 number of plants are sought, in preference to a few 

 of more vigorous growth. If only a few strong plants 

 are wanted, then the cane may be layered with one single 

 bend, as practised with shrubs and trees. (See figure 64. ) 

 In preparing shrubs and trees for the purpose of pro- 

 ducing layers therefrom, it is often necessary to head 



