VIII 
PEPPERS 
259 
and in planting bury them 6 in. in the ground. Some 
urge that the cutting should have not less than seven 
joints and two branches, or three for preference, all 
above the upper branch to be cut off. Much shorter 
cuttings will grow, but are naturally rather slower in 
making a good bushy plant. Care is necessary in making 
the cuttings to detach the roots by which the stem is 
attached to the stake gently from the wood, and to 
make the cuts clean and sharp, to avoid bruising the 
stem or bud. The base of the cutting should be cut 
smooth just below the swollen node, so that no bit of an 
internode is left to rot below it when planted and cause 
an invasion of fungi. The side-branches, except the two 
youngest, are carefully cut off. 
Nurseries . — It is possible in good localities and 
good weather to plant the cuttings out in situ, without 
developing them in a nursery, but it is better to raise 
them in a nursery before planting out. The nurseries 
are made in much the same way as those for vanilla 
and other such plants. The ground is well dug and 
drained if too wet, and if not sufficiently rich burnt 
earth and charcoal with some cow-dung may be dug in. 
The cuttings are planted in the beds, which should be 
shaded with palm leaves or pandanus leaves, or any 
other suitable light shade on sticks or poles at some 
height, say 5 ft. from the ground. The beds should be 
watered when necessary, being kept damp and cool, but 
not sodden. 
The cuttings should remain in the beds till they 
have struck well and begun to make good growth, when 
they should be removed to their future permanent 
positions. 
A planter suggests, in the Ceylon Observer, the 
following plan for a small clearing of 12 acres. All 
the undergrowth and small trees should be cut down, so 
as to admit an abundance of light, at the same time 
affording a moderate degree of shade. Trees to support 
from 250 to 300 vines to the acre should be retained. 
The cuttings should, before becoming too dry, be piled 
