25 
55 The Chinese Method of Propagating Trees. The Chi- 
nese, instead of raising fruit trees from seeds, or from grafts, as 
is the custom in Europe, have adopted the following method of 
increasing them. They select a tree of that species which they 
wish to propagate, and fix upon such a branch as will least in- 
jure or disfigure the tree by its removal. Round the branch of 
the tree, and as neeir as they can, conveniently, to its junction 
with the trunk, they wind a rope, made of straw, mixed with rich 
soil or manure, until a ball is formed, five or six times the dia- 
meter of the branch. This is intended as a bed into which the 
young roots may shoot. Having performed this part of the 
operation, they, immediately under the ball, divide the bark 
down to the wood for nearly two-thirds of the circumference of 
the branch. A cocoa-nut shell, or small pot, is then hung over 
the ball, with a hole iu its bottom so small that water put into 
it will fall only in drops. By this the rope is kept continually 
moist. During three succeeding weeks nothing farther is re- 
quired, except to supply the vessel with water. At the expira- 
tion of that period one-third of the remaining bark is cut off, 
and the former incision is carried considerably deeper into the 
wood, as by this time it is expected that some roots have struck 
into the rope, and are giving their assistance in support of the 
branch. After a similar period the operation is repeated, and 
in about two months from the commencement of the process, 
the roots may generally be seen intersecting each other on the 
surface of the ball, which is a sign that they are sufficiently ad- 
vanced to admit of the separation of the branch from the tree. 
This is best done by sawing it off at the incision. Care must 
be taken that the rope, which by this time is nearly rotten, is 
not shaken by the motion. The branch is then planted as a 
young tree. This method has been practised in our own coun- 
try; but, generally, in lieu of wrapping the branch with a straw 
band, it is run through the hole of a flower pot, which is after- 
wards filled with soil; or, if this be impracticable, pots may be 
made with an opening on one side, to admit the branch. If a 
pot be used, the addition of a straw or hay band round it, will 
counteract evaporation. The principle is precisely that of lay- 
ering, but oftentimes may be useful where that cannot be con- 
veniently adopted. The season of spring, when nature assumes 
her utmost vigour, should be preferred for this operation. 
*1-* 55, New Mo. Mag. 
