89 
The Amateur Propagator. 
noon, dew the foliage with tepid water. Do not give water to the soil unless 
really necessary. Examine the cuttings occasionally by carefully turning the 
ball out of its pot, and as soon as roots are seen, remove the cuttings from 
the propagator to a shady position in the window or greenhouse. See that the 
cocoa-nut fibre in the bed of the propagator is kept moist. The temperature 
of the fibre should be 75 to 85 degrees, and the air about 65 to 75 degrees. 
Cuttings in contrivances like Figs. 15 and 16 must have air admitted to them 
Fig- 25. 
for a few minutes every morning. Before closing, wipe the glass clean, and 
also remove any dead foliage. Shade from sun, too. Here, also, the chief 
points to observe are not to water the soil too freely; to sprinkle the foliage 
twice a day ; to shade from sunshine ; remove dead leaves ; and to admit air 
every morning for a few moments. 
Cuttings of oleanders, myrtles, aucubas, and many plants and shrubs, may 
be inserted in soda-water bottles, filled with water and suspended, as per 
illustration (Fig. 26), in a window or greenhouse. When plenty of roots have 
formed, withdraw the cuttings carefully from the bottle and pot in warm, light 
soil; then it will make as good a plant as if struck in the ordinary way. 
