PROPAGATION BY LAYERS. 35 



tings, and indeed with great difficulty by buda ngand graft- 

 ing, may be propagated readily by layers. 



When roots are freely emitted, as 'from the grape, simply 

 bending the middle of the branch into the soil is enough to 

 ensure success. But in cases of difficulty, other expedients 

 are resorted to ; one of the most common is to split a portion 

 upwards, immediately under a bud, (fig. 14,) which enables 



the newly forming roots to 

 pass freely and at once into 

 the soil, without the resistance 

 of the thick bark which they 

 otherwise must pierce. Some- 

 times the branch is cut partly 

 off to intercept the downward 

 passage of the fluids, and in- 

 duce them to form into roots. 

 At other times a wire ligature, 

 or the removal of a narrow 

 ring of bark effects the same purpose. Burying the layer 

 several inches under the surface is necessary, -to keep it in 

 moist earth ; and in drouth, moderate watering would be 

 beneficial. A small excavation of the soil at the spot is 

 convenient ; and when the branch is stiff, it must be fasten- 

 ed down with a forked stick. 



The excavation should be made with a spade. Use both 

 hands in bending the shoot, so that it may not be bent too 

 short, and break. If properly done, it will press against the 

 nearest side of the hole, rest on the bottom, and rise up, 

 pressing against the opposite side, when it should be fasten- 

 ed upright, and if necessary, to a small stake. At the time 

 of bending, a sod or other weight may be laid on to keep it 

 down till the hole is filled; and if the mellow earth be 

 pressed firmly down with the foot, no forked stick will be 

 usually necessary. 



The most favorable state of a plant for layering, is when 

 the bark is somewhat soft and not too ripe ; and the worst 

 shoots are those which are stunted, and with a hard bark. 

 There are however, no shoots whatever, not actually diseased, 

 that will not root by layers, if sufficient time be given. 

 Layers, like cuttings, may be made of the ripened wood in 

 autumn or spring ; or of the growing wood at or a little be- 



