EVERT WOMAN HER OWN FLOWER GARDENER. 



45 



A, Tom Thumb variety, growing from six to eight inches, is desirable 

 for ribbon gardening; contrasting beautifully with dark crimson leaves. 



Carnations, Calceolarias, Gazanias, Feverfews, Lobelias, Lantanas, 

 Neiremb^rgias, Vincas, etc., etc., are all desirable for bedding-out plants, 

 and can all be raised from cuttings or seeds, but the former is the surest 

 mode of propagation. 



Hotu to Grow Cuttings of Geraniums, Verbenas, etc, etc. 



To prepare pots for raising cuttings, fill them two-thirds full, with 

 rich loam, dark and porous, not clayey and heavy; then pour on an inch 

 or two of yellow sand. Wet' this thoroughly, and place the cuttings 

 close to the edge of the pot ; the contact of the pottery promotes the 

 growth of the cutting. Cuttings should be taken from the young and 

 newly- formed wood of the plant; but the lower extremity of it should 

 not be too young and soft, else it will absorb too much moisture and 

 decay; neither should it be too old and hard, for then it will not imbibe 

 moisture enough to enable it to throw out roots. Therefore, cuttings 

 should be taken off at the junction of the old and new wood, so that 

 these extremes will be avoided. They should be cut off just below a 

 joint or bud, as the roots start from that point; and, if a bud is not 

 left at the base, it is liable to decay ; the cut should be made smooth 

 across the stem, taking care not to bruise the bark, or leave it jagged. 

 Most of the hardy, wooded shrubs and plants are easily propagated by 

 cuttings planted in the open air; but the tender, watery-stemmed plants 

 like Verbenas, Heliotropes, Fuchsias, etc., should be covered with a 

 hand glass, or raised in a hot-bed. A certain amount of heat, moisture 

 and shade is required to enable cuttings to strike roots. Shade is need- 

 ful, because an exposure to the sun or strong light evaporates the little 

 moisture contained in the cuttings, and causes them to wither away. 



So, for three days, or until the cutting becomes wonted to its location, 

 ^ shade from exclusive sunlight. 



Peter Henderson recommends saucer propagation. 



Take a common saucer or shallow dish, fill it with wet sand and 

 insert the cuttings, pressing the sand close about them. Keep it sopping 

 wet ; if allowed to. dry it will check the growth; when the old leaves 

 have dropped, and new ones appear at the point of the cutting, roots 

 have formed ; and the plant may be carefully potted in light, sandy 



