ON THE PROPAGATION OF A FEW CLIMBING PLANTS. 
185 
which layering had produced. And a plant raised by layering will generally be 
more tardy in developing blossoms than one reared from a cutting, where the latter 
method can be employed. 
But there is another circumstance attending the propagation of plants by cuttings 
which is very insufficiently known, or at least seldom duly considered; and this is, 
that a specimen reared from a cutting will be a longer or shorter period in bearing 
its flowers, according to the condition of the parent plant. Thus, if a shrub is in 
a peculiarly unhealthy, and consequently infertile state, or particularly luxuriant, 
and hence unable to bloom, the cuttings taken from it will grow into plants which 
will require a protracted course of treatment to render them prolific. On the 
other hand, if the parent specimen be in a remarkably free-flowering condition, the 
young plants produced from its cuttings will, when properly managed, bloom both 
soon and abundantly. 
These are things, the right attention to which is of the first moment in the 
management of a collection. With reference to climbing plants, however, a further 
hint discloses itself to the initiated regarding the selection of cuttings for multipli- 
cation. It is that, to ensure speedy fertility, the cuttings should not only be 
prepared from those specimens which are disposed to bloom profusely, but that 
they be taken from the lateral shoots that are growing towards the upper extremity 
of the leading stems, and never from those principal shoots which issue at or near 
the base of the plant. The temptation to choose these last is sometimes strong, 
because they mostly appear more vigorous, and, by removing them, the plant 
would seem to be less robbed of its flowering branches. Still, as the principal 
stems or branches of a climbing plant never bloom till they reach a certain length, 
they should not be used for cuttings where early productiveness is desired. 
By taking advantage of such circumstances as these, the strongest climbers may 
be had in flower in a dwarf condition ; so as to take the appearance of shrubs, and 
also to become fit for training on low trellises in pots. The plan is likewise of 
much use in keeping up a succession of beautiful flowering plants, and bringing 
them into bloom considerably sooner than they would otherwise flower. There is 
nothing more annoying to cultivators generally than to have a number of plants 
about their place which will not blossom ; and climbing species, as commonly 
raised, are especial causes of such annoyance. 
To facilitate the procuring of quick-flowering specimens from climbers by 
cuttings, a plan has been pursued in a nursery near London, which we have had 
opportunities of frequently visiting. It has hitherto been confined to stove plants, 
and has, besides the above recommendation, the merit of saving both room and 
trouble. The ends of the young lateral shoots are chosen for operating upon, and 
at a joint only a short distance from the extremity, a quantity of damp moss is tied 
round the shoot, previously removing the leaves, and sometimes making an 
incision through the joint, or partially severing the shoot in the middle of the 
joint. In a moist atmosphere, roots are soon thrown forth into the moss, and the 
VOL. X. NO. CXVT. B B 
