PR A C TIC A L FL ORICULT URE. 
half through near a joint, when it should be laid down in the soil and covered over with 
moss, manure or other substance that will retain moisture around the incision; and the 
head 01 end of the shoot should be left uncovered. Many ornamental shrubs, such as 
Snowballs, Tree Cranberries and the like, can be raised only in this manner or from seeds. 
OFFSHOOTS. 
I hese form a natural kind of layering, where the plant sends forth a horizontal, under¬ 
ground stem or shoot, which needs but to be cut off from the parent stem at the proper 
season, to constitute an entirely distinct plant. They are nearly similar in character and 
appealance to the familiar above-ground runners of the strawberry and many other like 
plants. 
BULBS. 
Bulbs aie mostly increased bv offsets or bulblets formed on the sides of the previous 
growth, and generally require two or more years before they bloom. All bulbs require a 
peculiarly rich, deep soil, and plenty of liquid manure while in a growing state. They 
aie best kept in a bed or box by themselves to facilitate the extra attention necessary to 
develop a strong, healthy growth. 
i Pott lira s. 
ANA persons dread the performance of this simple part of flori¬ 
culture, which is not at all difficult unless the plant is too heavy or 
unwieldy. First, there should be in readiness some broken 
potsherds, bits of charcoal, or the like, for drainage, and the extra 
soil for the larger pot to which the transfer is to be made. This soil 
should be thoroughly damp — not wet and muddy, but so as to sift 
_ nicely from the hand. The articles for drainage should be placed 
in the bottom of the pot to the depth of about half an inch, with an additional 
half inch of moss if con\ ement, after which the whole should be covered over 
) with a layer of the earth prepared as above. The plant to be' transferred is 
supposed to have been watered some hours before, so that the earth will not 
crumble away from and tear the roots. The right hand, with the palm down¬ 
ward, should be placed over the surface of the ball of earth surrounding the plant, 
so that two fingers will be on each side of the stem; then pot and plant should be lifted 
bottom upward with the left hand, and the pot gently struck against the edge of a table, 
when it will ordinarily come off nicely. Should it, however, prove rootbound (that is* 
with the roots so crowded as to adhere to the sides of the pot), a few stronger blows will 
cause it to relinquish its hold. The young rootlets, if fresh and healthy, should not be 
disturbed; if dead —as will sometimes be the case from having been either too wet or too 
dry they should be cut off, as they would be an unwholesome element in the pot, and 
would have a tendency to prevent the growth of new and healthy ones. The large or 
broken roots necessary to be removed should be cut smoothly with a sharp knife. 
335 
