BORDER VARIETffiS. 
61 
a gcxxily number of plants are wanted, cuttings inserted 
in shallow boxes of prepared soil is a system to be pre- 
ferred to all others. The advantages of utilising shallow 
boxes is that a lesser quantity of compost is required, the 
soil rarely becomes soured, and a greater number of plants 
may be raised within a limited area than by any other 
means. Boxes not more than two inches deep are quite 
deep enough for the purpose, and they are easily made, 
or may be purchased for a very small figure. Those that 
one is accustomed to see in the gardens of nurserymen are 
very familiar to most growers, and their value will be 
readily appreciated. The boxes usually have a half-inch 
opening running the whole length of their bottom ; this 
ensures proper and adequate drainage. The bottom 
of the l)ox should have a few crocks arranged thereon, 
and these covered with some of the rougher siftings of the 
soils conprising the compost. The latter should be filled 
in level with the upper edge of the box, and be slightly 
firmed. A sprinkling of silver sand over the surface soil is 
also requisite as a finish, as this will be carried down to 
the bottom of each hole, as it is made to receive the 
cutting. 
Growers of a limited number of plants may find the use 
of small pots answer their purpose better. Pots, three 
inches and five inches in diameter are both most convenient 
sizes, and if one variety be confined to each pot, confusion 
will be avoided. If more convenient, they may, of course, 
use boxes also, but special care should be taken with the 
labelling as the different varieties are dealt with. 
A method of propagation that may commend itself to 
growers whose demands are very large, is that of making 
up a cutting bed on the greenhouse bench. This is better 
when made up on the edge of the bench, behind which are 
the stock plants developing their growths during the con- 
tinuation of the propagating period. An ideal cutting-bed 
of this description should be about fifteen to eighteen inches 
in width, and may run the whole length of the staging, or 
of a length to suit the convenience of individual growers. 
