122 CULTIVATION. 



ground, and consequently to be the better for 

 earthing up. When its " spurious stem,'* as it is 

 called by some writers, rises to a certain height, 

 it, from laxity, reclines on the ground and there 

 takes root, and in this manner naturally propa- 

 gates itself 



The apex of the principal and each of the 

 other branchlets bear the leaves and a cluster of 

 flower buds, which are developed therefrom in 

 irregular succession — the most central usually 

 first, and then the next according to its strength 

 or seniority. The base of each bud (and on 

 which the leaves are seated before they decay) is 

 permanent, and becomes a component of the 

 stem, entering intimately into its organization. 

 All the leaf buds are not developed while they 

 are on the summit of the shoot, but remain dor- 

 mant in the stem, from whence they occasionally 

 issue as branchlets. Radicles proceed from all 

 parts of the stem also, showing that any part of 

 the stem may be nursed into a perfect plant. 



It sometimes happens that the senior bud, 

 containing the embryo flower, is accidentally 



