PROPAGATING BY CUTTINGS 



385 



Root cuttings (Fig. 153C) are employed in propagating 

 some varieties of blackberries and purple raspberries which do 

 not sucker freely. In the fall, cut off pieces of the roots about 



3 to 5 inches long and store in sand until spring, as previously 

 indicated. The root cuttings develop both tops and roots from 

 adventitious buds after the cuttings have been planted. 



Blueberries may be propagated 

 by softwood cuttings which should 

 be taken in August. Cuttings are 

 made about 4 inches long, and all 

 the leaves except the upper two are 

 removed (Fig. 154). 



Either a solar or box frame is a 

 satisfactory propagating case. The 

 former operates on the principle of 

 supplying bottom heat, which is a 

 decided advantage, but it is doubtful 

 whether this will compensate for the 

 extra cost of construction. Both 

 types hold movable trays which are 



4 inches deep and have a hardware 

 cloth bottom. Further information 

 may be obtained from the Michigan 

 Experiment Station. 



German peat moss is the most 

 satisfactory rooting medium. Growth- 

 promoting substances are believed to placement in the cutting bed. 

 increase initial root development. 



The cuttings are placed in a slanting position^ in a 4-inch 

 layer of loose but firm damp moss. They are watered and 

 the frame is covered with a burlap shading which is held 

 6 inches from the glass. Very little watering is neces- 

 sary to keep the cuttings quite moist. Ventilation is 

 very gradual and is practiced only after rooting has taken 

 place. 



In the fall the plants should be hardened off so that they 



(Mich. Agr. Exp. Sta.) 



Fig. 154. A softwood blue- 

 berry cutting ready for 



