GARDENS. 



68 



tion is to compel the returning sap to organize itself exter- 

 nally as roots, instead of passing downwards below the 

 bark as wood j the bending back is to assist this object, 

 by preventing the expenditure of sap in the completion of 

 leaves. The bud left on the tongue favors the emission 

 of roots, as a tendency in nearly all plants exists to throw 

 out roots at the joints, and the silver sand secures the 

 drainage so necessary to cuttings. When the roots are 

 thrown out naturally wherever a joint touches the earth, 

 as in the verbena, they only require pegging down to 

 make them form new plants. To make them emit roots, 

 the returning sap may be arrested by taking off a ring of 

 bark, or a wire twisted tightly around it pinching the 

 bark, or any other operation that impedes the return of 

 the sap beyond the parts where roots are desired. The 

 best season for layering is before the sap begins to rise in 

 the spring, or from the last of June, during summer on 

 wood of the same season's growth. A good time for roses 

 is after the first bloom is over. Layered at this time, they 

 will generally be fit to take up the ensuing winter, but 

 most plants require twelve months, and some two years, 

 before they will root. In nurseries the ground is prepared 

 around each stool by digging and manuring, and the 

 branches laid down neatly, so as to form a radiated circle 

 round the stool, with the ends rising all around the circle 

 about the same height. Where it is difficult to get the 

 shoot to be layered down to the soil, a portion of the soil 

 may be raised to the plant as the Chinese gardeners prac- 

 tice in a pot, the earth in which should be kept steadily 

 moist. 



Cuttings. — A cutting is a part of a plant capable of 

 emitting roots, and becoming an individual similar to its 

 parent. To effect this, a suitable temperature and degree 

 of moisture are required. Cuttings in general may be 

 taken from stem, branch, or root. Cuttings of the stemj 



