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in width at top, narrowing towards the lower part till 

 only sufficient room is left for the introduction of the 

 shoot or branch intended to be propagated. These 

 cones are supported on rods, to which they are secured 

 by wire. Commencing with the central branches, the 

 leaves are taken from the parts which the tin is in- 

 tended to inclose; the branch is cut two-thirds through 

 as in layering, and being inclosed by the funnel, the 

 latter is well packed with moss. Moisture necessary 

 for favouring the emission of roots is supplied by 

 means of a bottle, from which the bottom is struck 

 off, and the neck furnished with a cork, perforated so 

 as to admit a small pigeon's feather or bit of wool 

 to form a syphon, by means of which the moss is kept 

 in a proper state of moisture. Hard-wooded plants 

 are propagated in this way from the middle of May 

 till the end of J une ; and the branches are sufficiently 

 rooted to be taken off by the end of September. It 

 is, however, necessary in all cases, to ascertain whether 

 the branches are sufficiently rooted previously to their 

 being separated. This is easily done by opening up 

 the edges of the tin ; when the branches are found 

 to be sufficiently rooted they are potted off without 

 removing the moss by which the roots are surrounded. 

 Being moderately watered, they are immediately placed 

 under glass on a sHght hotbed, and kept shut up for 

 a fortnight. They are then gradually exposed, and 

 afterwards placed in the shade of large trees, so that 



