ADVANTAGES OF STRIKING CUTTINGS IN WATER. 
181 
First, as concerns Oleander. The vessel in which the cutting is to be placed, 
should be a phial of white glass, with a neck the orifice of which is at least three 
quarters of an inch, to permit of the removal of the plant without much pressure 
on the newly-formed roots : this vessel should contain water sufficient to receive 
one inch or more of the lower extremity of the cutting, and the water should be 
kept to that quantity. 
Second. The cutting ought to be of green wood, and taken off during the full 
growing season of spring and summer; for such cuttings in water succeed best, and 
never flag under the power of a hot sun. If winter or autumnal propagation be 
attempted, it will be better to adopt the ordinary method with mould or sand; and 
in either case it will be always worth while to take some of the cuttings, which 
show the germs of future blossoms ; as it will not unfrequently happen that very 
pretty little plants may be formed, which will expand their blossoms in perfection 
with the first growth of the future wood- This has been mentioned in a former 
article on Nerium. 
Third. Though water be efficient in exciting radical developments, it will 
not support the plant for any considerable period ; and it was proved, by direct 
experiment, that it was vain to expect any good result from the introduction of 
manuring substances into the fluid : even a little moss dropped into a phial, con- 
taining a well rooted healthy cutting, produced an almost immediate change. The 
roots lost their clear white colour, became yellow, weak, and flaccid ; and the plant 
perished in the course of little more than a week. 
The foregoing observations will convey some idea of the general principles of 
water culture ; but there are particular exceptions, which cannot fail to attract the 
attention of any person of quick discernment. Thus, for instance, the beautiful 
Erythrince {Crista-galli^ and LaurifoUa, the very young spring shoots of which 
will take root in water) exhibit very interesting phaenomena. 
After remaining some days without any apparent change, a slight enlargement 
of the lower end of the cutting takes place, brilliantly white granulations of a 
species of cellular matter, closely resembling light pith of elder, form at and 
round the base, but do not adhere to it ; many masses detach themselves, and fall 
to the bottom of the water, or, it may be, float in it ; gradually these masses in- 
crease, the bark cracks into longitudinal fissures, more parenchymatous substance 
emerges, and at length becomes truly organised ; and then tubular and fibrous 
roots appear about the base, and at the fissures. The plants, when so prepared, 
may with safety be transferred to any light soil, than which none appears to be 
so extensively congenial as that pure sandy heath-mould (not peat of the turbary), 
which formerly was known by the term of bog-earth. Another example of water 
striking is the Dahlia. To persons accustomed to excite this fashionable floral 
beauty, it will appear superfluous to try an auxiliary mode of propagation. But 
these remarks are not intended for florists, or trading exhibitors ; they are off'ered 
to the consideration of those enquiring minds, who are ever on the alert to acquire 
a glimpse of the simple yet ever mysterious powers of nature. 
The fact that the young shoots of the Dahlia would emit perfect roots in 
water, was elicited by an accident which may very easily befal any amateur, who 
