THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
41 
till the graft has become strong enongh to heal the wound when 
inflicted. This will in general be about eighteen months after 
budding, when care must be taken to cut close to the base of the 
shoot, which enables the rising sap to cover the wound more easily. 
In all cases the wound should be covered with either the under- 
mentioned mixture immediately, and a small piece of grafting clay, 
or, at least, a little mould should be rubbed upon it. 
Trimming the root is a matter, if possible, of even more con- 
sequence, because but one more opportunity will be afforded of 
reviewing this part of the work, and perhaps none of retrieving 
mistakes. The longevity of the plant depending mainly upon the 
roots, it is necessary to shorten all those which are long and thick, 
and to remove heavy lumps and clumps of unserviceable wood, 
leaving as nearly as possible only such parts as are furnished with 
small fibres and roots. This will afford an opportunity of planting 
the stocks with greater care, and of forcing them to make fresh 
shoots (which in good ground they will be sure to do), and thus 
continue to improve The roots, however, require the same attention 
as the branches, for a closer investigation of the subject. It is 
therefore only necessary to add here, that attention must be paid to 
these points ; and for the greater convenience of cutting the roots, 
which are sometimes twisted and in cramped positions, it will be 
desirable to borrow a carpenter’s small saw, as well as a hand-saw ; 
and thus every facility being afforded in cutting the roots exactly as 
they may require, the work will be much expedited as well as 
improved ; but it must be remembered, that whenever a saw is used, 
either to root or branch, the surface left must be smoothed over with 
a knife. Having finished these operations, and ascertained the 
heights desirable for the stocks, this is the proper time for shortening 
them, previous to planting in rows for budding upon. 
PROPAGATION OF CAPE HEATHS. 
APE HEATHS are propagated both by seed and cut- 
tings. In propagating by seed, select wide-mouthed 
cutting-pots, or, what are better, pans provided with 
holes for drainage. Fill them half their depth with 
potsherds, the finer particles being placed as a top 
layer; immediately above this put a layer of coarse mould, filling 
the pot or pan to within three-quarters of an inch with fine sandy 
peat, pressing all moderately firm and perfectly level. The latter is 
most essential, as the seeds are so minute that an uneven surface 
greatly retards the growth of the youug plants. The seeds being 
deposited, with a very fine sieve scatter a slight covering of white 
sand, or very sandy peat, on them, barely enough to cover them ; 
damp the surface, and keep it so till the tiny plants appear. And 
here arises a difficulty, or, I should rather write, a troublesome case. 
I have seen it recommended in books (and put in practice, too), to 
February. 
