ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS 



PROPAGATION OF PLANTS ^ 



At the end of each group of plants the methods of 

 propagation are given. A few words may be necessary 

 to explain the terms used. The order in which the terms 

 are placed indicates the ease and success of the different 

 plans, the best method having precedence. Of course 

 the best method in some localities and under certain con- 

 ditions might-not be the best for other localities under 

 other conditions, so some allowance must be made. 



Seeds. — The use of seeds is generally nature's plan, 

 but it has some disadvantages. Varieties do not come 

 true in most cases. The seeds need to be fully mature 

 but still fresh. Many seeds are slow to grow ; certain 

 kinds need years to sprout. A number of flowers, 

 double ones, for example, do not produce seeds. 



As a general rule, seeds should be soaked in warm water 

 overnight before planting. The seedlings are best raised 

 in shallow boxes or, after frosts are over in spring, in 

 open ground. Small seeds should be covered with fine 

 loam only to a depth but little greater than the diameter 

 of the seed ; large seeds, to the depth of a quarter of an 

 inch or more. A good rule is to cover any seed to a 

 depth of twice its diameter with light fine earth. After 

 covering the seeds the soil should be pressed down firmly 

 with a board. Seedlings must not be allowed to become 

 dry at any time. 



1 Everytbing is condensed in this book to reduce it to liandbook size, 

 and the treatment of this topic is necessarily brief. The best book known 

 to the author for an amateur is " Practical Floriculture," by Peter Hen- 

 derson ($1.50). 



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