PROPAGATION BY LAYERS. 43 
to assume. It has been recommended to transfer cions and 
buds of promising individuals into other trees in a bearing 
state. This is peculiarly advantageous with respect to the 
peach and other stone fruits, as it both hastens the period 
of puberty, and economizes the space which must be occu- 
pied, especially where these are on a wall. 
Propagation by Cuttings.—Gooseberries, currants, figs, 
vines, and some others, are increased by means of cuttings. 
An annual shoot is taken off along with a thin slice, or 
heel, as it is called, of the former year’s wood, which is 
found to facilitate the production of roots. The cuttings 
are placed firmly in the soil, at various depths, according 
to their length, the buds or eyes which would thus come 
beneath the surface having been previously removed. 
Vines are sometimes propagated from small pieces of shoots 
having a single bud; when they have to be transmitted to 
a distance, an inch in length may suffice. Most of the cod- 
lin apples may be increased by cuttings; and even large 
branches of those which produce bu7s may be planted at 
once, with success. In all deciduous trees the operation 
is most advantageously performed in winter. 
Propagation by Layers.—This is not much resorted to 
in the fruit gafden. It is occasionally employed as the 
means of dwarfing trees. ‘“ Laying,” says Professor 
Lindley, “is nothing but striking from cuttings which are 
still allowed to maintain their connection with the mother 
plant by means of a portion at least of their stem.” The 
operation is performed by bending down a branch to the 
earth, and pinning it there with hooked pegs. A few 
inches from the extremity a notch or slit is cut upwards, 
generally from the insertion of a bud. Sometimes the 
shoot is pierced with a number of holes; a wire is bound 
round it; or even a ring of bark is removed, The object 
