ODTTINGS IN OPEN AIK. 49 



CHAPTER VI. 



CUTTINGS IN OPEN AIB. 



Success in growing cuttings in the open air is often de- 

 pendent upon the proper selection and preparation of the 

 cutting-bed. The soil may be loam, sandy loam, or fine 

 muck, with an admixture of sand — the latter is one of the 

 best, provided it is not too wet. Any soil that is retentive 

 of moisture, but not really wet or swampy, will answer the 

 purpose. 



A soil at least eighteen inches deep is one of the requi- 

 sites of a good cutting-bed. 



If the sou is naturally heavy and compact, a liberal 

 quantity of sand, charcoal, or fibrous muck sho'^Id De 

 applied to lighten it, else it will become tco Iiard and dry 

 in summer, and the cuttings will suffier in consequence. A 

 rich soil is also indispensable, for it is necessary that the 

 cuttings should make a vigorous growth, that they may 

 ripen a large portion of their wood and roots early in the 

 season. This they can not do without a proper supply of 

 food. But no fresh unfermented manure should be mixed 

 with the soil, though it may sometimes be admissible upon 

 the surface, after the cuttings are planted. 



K the soil is not naturally rich, a liberal quantity (say 

 enough to cover the entire surface four to six inches deep) 

 of old, well-rotted barnyard manure, or a compost made 

 of manure and sods, muck, leaves, or some similar mate- 

 rials, may be thoroughly mixed with the soil to the depth 

 of one foot or more. 



The cuttings will usually produce roots from the lower 

 end first, therefore it is necessary that a portion of the 



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