PROPAGATION BY I^TAEnHlNfi. 53 



takes place. The writer has grafted the grape in this way 

 when the scion rooted helow while the union was taking 

 place above. We have also fonnd this a certain method 

 of grafting the peach, cherry, and phim, if the work is 

 done very early before sap-movement commences, using a 

 dormant scion ent the winter previous to using. 



With potted plants this method is adopted with some 

 plants by placing the lower end of the long scion in water. 

 In this case, as stock and scion are in leaf tlie union is 

 made as in Fig. 24 and the top of the stock is not cut back 

 until the union is complete. This plan is also adopted 

 sometimes in the open air in top-grafting, in the dormant 

 period. 



56. Propagating by Ripe Wood-cuttings. — The success- 

 ful growing of cuttings of woody trees and shrubs in the 

 open ground is much varied by climatic conditions. In 

 the moister air and warmer soil of the Southern States 

 and in south Europe certain varieties of the apple, pear, 

 plum, and cherry are readily propagated from cuttings 

 of the one-year-old wood. In the island of Chiloe, near 

 the west coast of Patagonia, orchards are started, we are 

 told by Humboldt, by planting Iiirge bearing-limbs. The 

 moist air and soil retain the life and moisture of the limbs 

 until roots are developed for i heir support. In the drier 

 air of the Northern States, especially west of the Great 

 Lakes, the number of varieties and species that can be 

 propagated in the open soil and air is much lessened. 



57. When and How to Prepare Cuttings. — As the leaves 

 of varieties and species reach in succession the ripening 

 stage they are stripped and the cuttings made if wanted 

 for immediate planting. But the leaves should be so 

 mature that they are ready to part readily in stripping. 

 If wanted for wintering in the cellar or solar hot-bed, or 

 for spring planting, it is better to prepare the cuttings 



