PROPAGATION BY CUTTINGS. 



9 



quire only cally sand, which must be made moist 

 and firmly set in the pot. Others should have a 

 portion of loam or leaf soil mixed with rough sand. 

 Geraniums and calceolarias strike well in it. 



As soon as the cuttings are inserted plunge the 

 pots into water, so that the surface be covered ; as 

 soon as the air is out of the soil, which is easily 

 known, (for as air is lighter than water, the light 

 body ascends and in its ascension leaves the water 

 to rise) allow the water to drain off before placing 

 the pots in the propagating house or frame : the 

 plants so treated will not require water for several 

 days; indeed, I have struck several plants without 

 ever giving them any more water to the soil, though 

 occasional sprinklings over head are necessary. 

 Where there is not a stove and other conveniences for 

 propagating at hand, then the following plan will be 

 found to answer very well : provide a box, eight 

 inches deep, water-tight ; bore several holes at each 

 end, four inches from the top ; place it near the glass ; 

 then put four inches of rough drainage, on which lay 

 turf or rough soil, and make this firm : upon this 

 lay your sifted soil ; have a garden pot at one cor- 

 ner for the purpose of supplying water amongst the 

 drainage ; this causes damp vapours to rise con- 

 tinually, which does away with syringing over head. 

 In this way cuttings put in on the 21st of January, 

 1842, were rooted on the 15th of February, with no 

 other care than shading from the sun. When the 



