66 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
ting is said to be removed with a “ heel.” Cuttings of 
coniferous and other shrubs are prepared in this fashion. 
Then there are root cuttings prepared from portions of 
roots cut up into small portions, as in the case of the wild 
Clematis for forming stocks for grafting. There are also 
leaf cuttings, as the fleshy leaves of Echeverias and succu- 
lent-leaved plants generally. For rooting soft-wooded cut- 
tings of tender plants a gritty, open soil is required. For 
ordinary bedding plants any old potting mould with plenty 
of sand will do. For choicer kinds, leaf-mould, peat, 
and sand, or sand alone, may be needed. The pots or 
boxes should be well drained, and the soil made firm. 
Tender, soft-wooded cuttings root more quickly in a close 
propagating frame, or under a bell glass, where the mois- 
ture is uniform, and there is little or no evaporation of 
moisture from the leaves taking place. If the leaves of 
cuttings are permitted to droop the latter often fail to 
root. Keep the frame closed, except for a few minutes 
every morning, to disperse foul air, and gently dew the 
foliage with warm water. As soon as the foliage assumes 
a firm appearance and there are signs of growth, gradu- 
ally give more air, and a few days afterwards remove the 
cuttings from the frame, and shortly afterwards transfer 
them to pots or boxes. Cuttings of evergreen shrubs 
usually do best in a cold frame. Insert in a good bed of 
sandy soil, make the latter firm, give a good watering at 
first, keep the frame closed for a week or two, and shade 
from sun. After the first month air may be given freely. 
Such cuttings should not be disturbed until the following 
autumn. Cuttings of deciduous shrubs, ivies, etc., should 
be inserted half their depth, in a shady border. Place 
them 2in. or 3m. apart in rows ift. asunder, and make 
the soil firm. Transplant the following autumn. Violas, 
Calceolarias, and similar hardy, soft-wooded cuttings are 
best inserted in a cold frame. In inserting cuttings use 
a piece of wood about the size of a cedar pencil, and only 
make the hole deep enough to admit the cutting. The 
base of the cutting should rest firmly on the bottom of the 
hole. If a hollow space is left below the cutting will rot. 
For other special hints about cuttings see cultural remarks 
in connection with each genus. 
