APEIL. 



163 



Many plants may be propagated by cuttmgs of leaves 

 with a bud at the base. Cinerarias, the tail Lobelias, 

 Statices, and most herbaceous plants, are increased by 

 offshoots from the base of the parent plants. Some 

 plants do best from cuttings of the roots, and the 

 Eockets, Lychnis, and such like, by cuttings of the 

 flower stems. Cuttings of hollo^Y-stemmed plants should 

 be cut at a joint. 



The leaves should be removed from the part of the 

 cutting which is to go in the earth, and generally some 

 at the top removed and cut, to reduce evaporation. For 

 the same reason, to reduce evaporation, they are covered 

 with a bell glass, and shaded. Shade is, however, a 

 necessary evil, tending to weaken and enervate, and to 

 make them shoot upwards instead of root downwards. 

 Give as little shade as possible. 



If pots and pans are at all scarce, as they are in most 

 establishments at this season, cuttings will do in just 

 anything that will hold earth. The children picked up 

 on the sands one day a worn-uut tin baking dish, with 

 holes in it, and begged that it might not be thrown 

 away as they were " sure it would come in handy." Now 

 it, and other things about as incongruous, arefulL For 

 striking the cuttings use light sandy soil, with good 

 drainage. A little heath-soil or leaf-mould may be 

 added, great care being taken that the last is thorough 

 mould ; for if any rotten leaves remain in it they will 

 cause damp and mouldiness. Do not take cuttings until 

 the parent plants have begun to make their spring 

 growth, and then try to make the cuttings continue that 

 growth without interruption. To effect this do not w^et 

 the cuttings, nor let them flag. As soon as they are 

 planted tak:e them at once to the place prepared for 

 them, where they may have a little more heat than they 

 had before they were cut, moist atmosphere, a little air 

 at night (weather permitting), and as much light as they 

 will bear without flagging. If they flag at all they must 

 have shade, or a taste from the syringe. 



Kecently planted or transplanted trees should have 

 their w^elfare cared for. If the weather turn v^oxm and 



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