Horticulture. 



312 



cut up into pieces and planted, provided there is a perfect eye or bud left to 

 each piece. It will be well to give a short definition of each of the subjects 

 of this paragraph as they are often confounded. 



A Bulb consists of a stem with internodes suppressed, covered by a 

 cluster of partially developed scale-like leaves. Its fibrous roots die annually, 

 but the bulb retains the vital powers of the plant, e.g., Lily. 



A Corm is a solid bulbous root bearing a surface bud, such as Cyclamen. 

 It resembles a bulb with which it is often confounded. 



A Txiber is a thickened underground stem bearing buds, as Potato. 

 A Rhizome is a creeping underground stem giving forth roots from its 

 under-side and developing leaf buds at intervals on the upper surface, as Iris. 



An Offset is a side bulb produced by some bulbous plants, or a prostrate 

 shoot which takes root but does not branch again. 



PROPAGATION BY LEAVES. 



This is a successful mode with such succulent plants as Begonias, Gloxi. 

 nias, &c, and it is possible that most other plants could be propagated in the 

 same way if their leaves could be kept alive sufficiently long for roots to strike. 

 The selection of the leaves is important as they should be neither too young 

 nor too old. The young leaf expends its energy on its own growth, while that 

 too old will be found to have reached the stage when it ceases to be active 

 and commences to decay. Those nearly full-grown are the best. The petiole (leaf 

 stalk) may be left its full length or be partly cut off, inserting it well up to 

 the base of the leaf in pure sand, with a compost underneath suitable for the 

 growth of the plant after it has struck root. If the leaf stalk is cut close 

 the base of the leaf must be partly inserted and kept in position with a peg 

 or small stone. Shading from sun is necessary and bottom heat advantageous 

 where practicable. 



Everyone is familiar with the way in which leaves of Bryophyllum 

 calycinum produce young plants from their crenatures, even if nailed up against 

 a wall. Hence the common name of "The Plant of Life" has been attached to 

 this plant. 



PROPAGATION BY RUNNERS. 



The Strawberry is an excellent example of a plant sending forth slender 

 prostrate stems which proceed along the surface of the ground and are termed 

 runners. These are nourished by the parent, and leaf buds form at the joint on 

 the upper side, rudiments of roots (known to Botanists as spongioles) appearing 

 on the lower side. The latter develop and take hold of the soil, forming a complete 

 plant which may be detached when established. To assist rooting, the runner 

 should be pegged down near the joints. It goes on growing and forms a new plant 

 at each joint, but if extra-strong plants are required the ends should be nipped off 

 after two to three have developed, so that those left may have the full benefit 

 of all the flow of sap. 



If many plants are required the parents should be prevented from flowering 

 and fruiting by cutting out all flower buds. 



PROPAGATION BY ROOTS. 



Such plants as Plums, which readily throw up suckers from the roots, may 

 be propagated in this way. The buds which appear on the roots and send up 

 these shoots are termed adventitious buds. Plants raised by this mode are true 

 to the parent in character and reach maturity sooner than when raised from seed. 

 The best and inost certain method is to take cuttings from the roots 4 to 8 inches 



