Propagation 
here are several ways by which the amateur gardener may 
successfully propagate plants and thus increase his garden 
>y his own efforts without resorting to the professional 
grower; by seeds, divisions, layering, cutting, grafting and bud¬ 
ding. In these days of restrictions on importing plants, those who 
can successfully raise plants by these various methods can bring 
new beauty to their gardens as well as share plants with flower- 
loving friends. 
Various 
Methods 
of 
Propagation 
SEEDS 
Many scientific experiments have been and are still being made 
on raising plants from seed, and the lay-gardener now has a chance 
to take some of the guesswork out of seed germination."* 
Several factors enter into successful growth of plants from 
seeds. First of all the seed must be alive; second, the soil must be 
carefully prepared to suit the special type of seed. The proper 
amount of sun or shade, as well as a suitable temperature, materi¬ 
ally influences the growth of the seeds. It is important also that 
they be neither too damp, nor too dry. 
Growing 
Conditions 
*SEED GERMINATION—"The Plant Physiologists have worked steadily for thirty 
years on the different problems of seed germination. There are three types of seeds. (1) 
Those that start to grow promptly under ordinary germinative conditions. Most plants of 
commonist culture belong here. (2) Seeds that are alive but are hindered from growing by 
something outside the embryo, such as hard seed coat, or the need of high temperature, or 
light, or increased or decreased oxygen supply. Of these factors, hard-coatedness is the 
one most apt to trouble the amateur gardener since the Legumes suffer from it and that 
family is vastly important, especially in the South where the flora is very rich in pod 
bearing trees and plants. Some of the members of this family start with no trouble, but if 
delays occur the first thing to look for is a hard coat. Seeds of Peas, Broom (Cytisus spp.) 
Lupine, Locust, Wisteria, and Red Bud (Cercis) are among those that may give trouble. 
Any method of breaking, scratching or wearing away the seed coat so the water can enter, 
will promote the growth of these seeds. Soaking, rubbing between pieces of sand paper, or 
in the larger seeds filing with a three-cornered file are all good methods. (3) Seeds in which 
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