Page:On the cultivation of the plants belonging to the natural order of Proteeae.djvu/36

 12 found, that, if the leaves are only taken off from the part which is inserted in the earth, and those left uninjured which are above the surface, the chances are in favour of their striking root; while the contrary is the case, where the whole of the leaves are taken away, or shortened.

If cuttings are judiciously chosen, they will succeed in various situations; such as are taken off in spring, will do well, in general, either in, a warm part of the greenhouse, or in cucumber heat; those taken off in summer, may he placed in frames, either with or without artificial heat, especially in close warm aspects, shading them with a thin mat, when the sun is powerful; those cuttings taken off in autumn, or winter, should be placed on elevated shelves, in the hothouse. From time to time, as the Bellglasses become foul, wipe them clean, taking the opportunity to do this always when they are moved for watering, so as not to disturb the cuttings unnecessarily. If any die, or become mouldy, remove them instantly, for their contagion would spread rapidly.

In the time required for sending out roots, different species vary exceedingly: some are furnished with fibres in two or three months, while others, especially the hard-wooded species, require six, nine, or twelve months, nay from this period, even to two years: but, whenever the fibres begin to issue, it will be visible in the cheerfulness, and deep verdure of the leaves, or by their buds swelling; and as soon as a fresh shoot pushes, the Bellglass must be raised by degrees, and at length entirely removed, hardening the cuttings to the full air; after which they ought to be treated like seedlings.

Many species of this tribe of plants, ripened seeds at Clapham; but I was careful to promote their impregnation, by repeatedly rubbing Pollen upon the Stigma, and exposing their flowers as