258 THE PLEASURE GROUND. 



when the season is more advanced, they will readily 

 strike root without it. 



In the preparing of the cuttings, care must be 

 taken not to injure the bark in the removal of the 

 leaves, which should be cut close off to the wood, as 

 far as is necessary for that part of the cutting to be 

 inserted in the soil ; none of the upper leaves ought 

 to be shortened or removed, and not planted deeper 

 in the soil than is requisite for the fastening of the 

 cuttings ; when they are put in, a little water should 

 be given, to settle the soil or sand more firmly about 

 them. As soon as the wet has evaporated from 

 their leaves, they should be removed to the propa- 

 gating frame, and if covered with bell or hand 

 glasses, the surer, in general, will the success be, 

 although many of the sorts will strike very freely 

 without them, provided they are not exposed to too 

 much air, and are shaded from the effects of the 

 mid-day sun. The cutting pots will require to be 

 frequently examined, and not permitted to become 

 either too wet or too dry, but kept in a medium, 

 vegetating state of moisture. The glasses will re- 

 quire occasional wiping, to prevent the damp from 

 injuring or rotting the leaves of the cuttings. As 

 soon as the cuttings have struck root, and begin 

 to grow, they ought to be immediately potted off 

 into small sized pots, and re-placed in a frame, when 

 they can be gradually hardened and acclimated to 

 the temperature of the Greenhouse, previous to their 

 removal to that department. There are, however, 

 many species of plants that we cannot propagate by 

 cuttings of their branches, and we are, consequently, 



