354 
PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 
ARTICLE X. 
ON THE PROPAGATION OF PLANTS IN WATER. 
By the Author of the Domestic Gardeners' Manual , C. M. H. S . 
This little article is perhaps of no great utility, but it may serve 
to amuse, if not to instruct some, who are curious in horticultural 
experiments. I have before given, at some length, a detail of my 
early practice, of striking Melon and Cucumber cuttings, in a bottle of 
water, plunged in a bed of leaves or tan, the temperature of which 
may range from 75 to 90 degrees. I pursue this practice steadily, 
cutting the terminating spouts of good, vigorous plants across the 
third or fourth joint, from their points; but this precaution is not 
essential with the cucumis tribe ; for I have noticed that, roots may 
be emitted between joints ; and even (as is sometimes the case) when 
the interval between the lowest end of the cutting, and the first joint 
above it decays, and as it were, dissolves in the water, roots will 
emerge from the sound parts above those that decay ; hence, every 
facility is afforded to a cultivator. I find that frequently in three 
days, some radical processes are sent forth, quite sufficient to secure 
the growth of the plant in soil, without a moment’s loss of time, and 
this I account for, by the perfect safety of the removal from the fluid 
medium, without the disruption, or slightest injury of any fibre or 
spongelet. It may, however, be as well to cover the young plant for 
a day or two with a hand glass, to guard against evaporation, till it 
has fully established its protruding roots in the terrene medium. 
The foregoing observations may be considered as an appendix to the 
facts already recorded : it remains to notice others which have in¬ 
duced me to offer this article to the attention of the readers of the 
Register. 
The mode of propagation by cuttings is adopted extensively by every 
cultivator; but I am persuaded that a good deal of time may, in 
many instances, be economised by having recourse to water. I 
would by no means abandon the old mode : the only point which I 
believe is not sufficiently attended to, is one that seems of essential mo¬ 
ment. Wherever a large stock of plants of one 
species is not contemplated, a great deal of 
disappointment may be saved by placing single 
cuttings in very small pots; or if three be placed 
in the same pot, I would urge the gardener to 
thrust each into a little hole in close contact 
with the side of the pot,—thus :— 
