246 THE SCHOOL GARDEN BOOK 



leaves at the top and thrust it into a hole in wet sand in a 

 flower-pot or the cutting bench. 



2. Keep the sand rather wet for nearly three or four weeks. 

 By the end of that time a callus should have formed over the 

 cut surface and roots have started out. 



3. As soon as the small roots start, put the cutting in a 

 two-and-one-half or three-inch pot in good garden soil, prefer- 

 ably with a little sand thoroughly intermingled. Keep well 

 watered but not too wet. 



4. When the small pot is full of roots, re-pot in a larger 

 size pot and keep the plant growing vigorously thereafter. 



Carnation Cuttings 



1. Select vigorous young growth for carnation cuttings. 

 Remove part of the lower leaves and trim off just below a 

 node. Thrust about one inch deep into wet sand or the cut- 

 ting bench, and keep well watered for three or four weeks. 



2. About four weeks after planting, the roots should be well 

 started and the cutting may then be planted in a two-and- 

 one-half or three-inch pot in fine soil. 



3. Carnations are said to start better in winter, especially 

 in January, than at any other season. 



Seed Testing Exercises 



1. Make sprouting tests of the seeds of four or five of the 

 following crops: radishes, carrots, parsnips, onions, cabbages, 

 spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and corn. Deter- 

 mine in each case the precise percentage that germinate. 



2. By means of paper flower-pots make seedling tests of 

 the same kinds of seeds as are used in the sprouting tests. 



