OCR Text |
Show Propagating; tho Roio. Tho first matter for atttontlon is the wood from which tho cuttings aro to be made. It must nolthor bo too hard nor too soft. To bo euro of getting It at about tho right stago, make up the cuttings from tho flower shoots or stalks at tho terminus of which tho flower is borno, Just at tho time tho flower naturally wilts and the petals fall. It Ib not noccsssary at all In making the cuttings to havo an eyo, or Joint it might bo called, at the end of tho cutting which enters tho sand, as Is often supposed. Mako the out- tings about two and one-half Inches in length, using a sharp knife, and in cutting let the stroke be slightly slanting. slant-ing. The ends of tho cutting should be cut cloan and smooth, and not mashed mash-ed or bruisod in any way. Let sovoral leaves remain on each cutting, but trim oft the tips of tho outer leaves. Now procure a saucer or pan of oome sort deep enough to hold about two Inches of sand. After putting It In tho sand to a depth of about two inches, wator heavily until it Is thoroughly soaked. With a kntfa make several cuts one and one-fourth Inches deep across tho sand, and in these Incisions Insert tho cuttings, pinching tho Baud about the base of each cutting as it Is put in. When the pan is filled with tho cuttings cut-tings abqyi an Inch apart, or porhaps a little more, set the pan In full sunlight, sun-light, thero to remain every day during tho rooting process. The only operation opera-tion necessary eaoh day while rooting is to keep the sand thoroughly saturated satur-ated with water. Negleot this one day and tho chancy are that tho whole lot will be spoiled. From Woman's Home Companies. . |