80 
CUTTINGS. 
[chap. IV. 
much more difficult to strike as cuttings than 
others; but some, such as the willow, the 
currant, the vine, &c., will throw out roots 
not only from the ring, but from every part 
of the stem. These plants do not require so 
much care as to cutting off at a joint; and 
in fact, will throw out roots from whatever 
part may be put into the ground, but even 
they succeed best when properly prepared. 
The cutting being taken off, and the divi¬ 
sion at the joint being made perfectly smooth, 
the greater part of the leaves should be cut 
off close to the stem, with a sharp knife; 
and a hole being made in the soil, the cut¬ 
ting should be put in, and the earth pressed 
close to its extremity, or it will never strike 
out roots. This necessity of the part which 
is to send out roots being fixed firmly in the 
soil, has been already mentioned with regard 
to seeds, transplanted trees, and layers; and 
this necessity exists with equal or greater 
force with regard to cuttings. When these 
are made in a pot, the cutting will much 
more readily strike (as gardeners call its 
throwing out roots), if it rest against the side 
of the pot, or even against the bottom. 
