PKOPAGATION OF PLANTS. 



109 



planted in small pots under glass, the surface kept damp, 

 and bottom beat applied. They soon take, and form the 

 best vines. 



The substances in which cuttings are struck are various. 

 Many plants, as crysanthemums, currants, etc., will root 

 in common garden soil. Powdered charcoal, brick dust, 

 and even pure water are employed, but the most useful 

 substance is pure silver sand, white, clean, and fine. Sea 

 sand must not be used, unless all saline matter is washed 

 out. Sand contains little food for plants, and they need 

 little until the roots are formed, but it is free from matters 

 which induce decay. It is porous and gives ready pas- 

 sage for the young rootlets, and, being fine, retains moist- 

 ure by capillary attraction. 



Some plants will strike roots if the ends of the cuttings 

 are kept in water of the proper temperature. Bottles, 

 vials, and jars, are used to hold the water, but as light is 

 rather an obstacle to the ready formation of roots, if the 

 vessel is transparent, it should be shaded. As soon as the 

 roots begin to appear, the cuttings should be taken from 

 the water and planted in fine soil, which must be kept 

 moist, and the plants carefully shaded until they take 

 fresh root. 



Insertion. — Cuttings of hardy plants that strike readily 

 in the open air are sometimes inserted with a dibble, but 

 it is better to cut off by a line a straight edge in the dug 

 soil, and place the prepared cuttings against it ; press the 

 soil closely around them. These are usually set perpendic- 

 ularly. If the cuttings are long, they can be set in a slop- 

 ing direction so as to be within reach of atmospheric in- 

 fluences. If not herbaceous, they should be inserted so 

 deep that but two buds will be above the surface, and in 

 the vine but one. Herbaceous cuttings are inserted less 

 deeply. 



When small cuttings are planted under glass, a pointed 

 stick of proper size is used. Many kinds may be planted 



