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PROPAGATION. 
supposed to have a greater tendency than the other to produce plants 
with double flowers. 
Propagation by Tubers, or Slips, and by Grafting, 
This is the mode most commonly adopted for the propagation of 
this favorite plant, and the operation is begun in March or April, by 
removing the tubers from the place where they have been deposited 
during the winter, and putting them in pots, or in loose earth on a 
mild hot bed. The crown of each tuber is left uncovered to permit 
each shoot to develop itself, under the full influence of the atmos¬ 
pheric air. When the shoots have attained the length of about three 
inches, they are cautiously separated from the tuber by laying hold of 
the slip with the thumb and finger near its base, and gently moving 
it backward and forward until it comes out of its socket. Mr. Paxton 
recommends that where the shoots are numerous, a part of the crown 
of the tuber should be invariably taken off with the shoot, a course 
more likely to be attended with success than by extracting the slip. 
The following mode of increasing choice varieties of this favorite 
flower was discovered by Mr. Blake, of Kensington G-ore, and is now 
commonly practised — 
Select a good tuber of a single sort, taking special care that it has 
no eyes; then, with a sharp knife, (for a dull edge would mangle the 
- fleshy root, make it jagged, and so prevent a complete adhesion of the 
scion and stock,) cut off a slice from the upper part of the root, mak¬ 
ing at the bottom of the part so cut a ledge wherein to rest the graft. 
This is done because you cannot tongue the graft as you would do a 
wood shoot; and the ledge is useful in keeping the cutting fixed in 
its place while you tie it. Next cut the scion, (which should be strong, 
short jointed, having on it two or more joints or buds,) sloping to fit, 
and cut it so that a joint may be at the bottom of it to rest on the 
aforesaid ledge; a union may be effected without the ledge, provided 
the graft can be well fixed to the tuber, but the work will not then, 
be so neat. It is of advantage, though not absolutely necessary, that 
a joint should be at the end of the scion ; for the scion will occasionally 
put forth new roots from the lower joint; the stem is formed from 
the upper joint; therefore procure the cuttings with the lower joints 
as near together as possible. 
