Cbe national IRursonpman. 
FOR GROWERS AND DEALERS IN NURSERY STOCK 
The National Nurseryman Publishing Co., Incorporated 
Vol. XXXIL HATBORO, PENNA., FEBRUARY 1924 N^2 
“The Principles of Propagation” 
By H. B. Cioltra, Onarga, III. 
As the subject of propagation covers all the Flora 
and Fauna of the earth, it must by necessity be subdivid¬ 
ed into many minor subjects. I will confine my subject 
to the principles of propagation of trees and shrubs, from 
seed and cuttings from a commercial standpoint. 
Where good seed can be obtained, the propagation by 
seed is mucb cheaper and more satisfactory, especially 
with varieties we know will reproduce true to type. Seed 
gathered locally will as a rule show a better percent of 
germination than those obtained from collectors. 
Where seed is to be obtained from collectors care 
should be taken to secure it from localities where we 
know the variety does best in its natural state. 
In selecting material for hard wood cuttings, only wood 
from strong thrifty plants should be used. In most cases, 
all the wood from the previous season’s growth may be 
used. In others, only the terminal cut can be used if sat¬ 
isfactory results are to be obtained. The Syringa (Lilac) 
is an example of this type. 
The first matter to decide is what varieties will I grow, 
what methods of propagation must I use to make this a 
success from a monetary standpoint, what kind of soil 
must I select as my jiropagating ground to gain the best 
results. As commercial propagation is done in general 
assortment, I must select a soil that will produce the 
most varieties successfully. If I am growing from hard 
wood cuttings and have a heavy clay soil or a heavy 
black soil I will find it very hard to produce a first-class 
plant successfully and entirely impossible to produce it 
at a profit. 
A deep sandy loam will be best suited for growing a 
large assortment of varieties. Care must be taken to 
see that the subsoil has good free drainage. 
As all sandy soil is more or less sour, and sour ground 
does not release j)lant food readily, this defect must be 
eliminated. This can be more cheaply done by a top 
dressing of agricultural lime stone (raw ground rock). 
As commercial propagation is always done in intensive 
form—the seed beds and cutting beds being mass ot 
roots when in growth—care must be taken to see that 
an abundant supply of plant food is available. 
The phosphate can be most cheaply supplied by an 
application of raw ground phosphate rock. The nitrogen, 
by well-rotted stable manure, which should be well 
worked in the soil. Where organic matter has been 
worked in the soil, as a rule, we will find a sufficient 
amount of potash. But, if an analysis of our soil shows 
a deficit of this, it can be readily supplied with either a 
dressing of muriate of sulphate or potash. Now, we have 
a soil well prepared for the grow ing of a large assort¬ 
ment of trees and shrubs either from seed or cuttings. 
But, if we turn to the grow ing of roses from hard w ood 
cuttings, especially the climbing varieties, we wnll likely 
find that we have a breeding ground for eel worm or 
nematode This will show^ up on roses and make the 
crop valueless w hen it will not show on any other stock 
in the beds, so that when they are dug in the fall, they 
will be a total loss. Some claim that wdien stable manure 
is worked into the soil, or even a heavy crop of clover is 
turned under it will create a breeding ground for nema¬ 
tode, and if nitrogen is supplied in a form free from or¬ 
ganic matter it w ill not show up. Other authorities claim 
by the use of potassic fertilizers and plenty of stable 
manure it w ill be* eliminated. One seems to contradict 
the other. 
If we turn to the growing of conifers (Evergreens) 
from seed, wdiile in the case of most varieties the lime 
and stable manure was the proper thing, it is about the 
worst thing we could have done for conifers, as the 
damping off germ that destroys so many young seedlings 
the first few days after they come through the ground, 
is very active in soil that is not sour and is w ell supplied 
with organic matter. The best plan is to select a soil free 
from lime, use an acid phosi)hate and supply nitrogen 
in a form free from organic matter. 
Now, we are growing a great many varieties success¬ 
fully; but there will be some that we can not grow from 
seed or hard wood cutting, and do it at a profit, and 
we will have to turn to the propagation of those by green 
wood cuttings in sharp sand under glass. No particular 
attention need be paid to the kind of soil or location, oth¬ 
er than that it is high and w ell drained. 
When an amateur starts growing from green wood 
cutting, his trouble bas started, as no set rules or text 
books may be used. If the cutting w ood is gathered too 
green, it will wilt down and die. If it is cut too hard, 
it wn'll stay alive, but when dug in the fall will have in¬ 
sufficient roots and will have no value. It it is given 
too much light it w ill wither and die. It it is given too 
much shade it w ill damp olf and rot. If it is given too 
little water it will die. If given too much water, it will 
rot. 
The methods you use one season successtully may be 
entirely wrong the next. For instance, one year with a 
block of Hydrangea. P. G., I w atered them once each ten 
days up to the time I gave them the air and more light. 
The next season in the same place, I watered them from 
tive to seven times each day, and gave them twice the 
