Page:The Amateur's Greenhouse and Conservatory.djvu/72

66 usually put in sand first, and as soon as they begin to form roots, are taken out and potted in light compost. This is not always necessary, especially in summer time, when quick-rooting cuttings may be put singly in small pots in proper compost, and will at once make plants and occasion very little trouble. It may always be known when cuttings are throwing out roots, as their tops become greener, and begin to grow simultaneously with the emission of roots from the base. Then they should have a little more air and light to prepare them for the life they are to lead as independent plants. A cheap propagating frame may be extemporised by fitting together two flower-pots and filling the space between them with moss or sand, and then fitting a bell-glass over. This plan answers well for hard-wooded plants, which are very slow in making roots, and are apt therefore to be neglected, and, perhaps, occasionally forgotten.

The multiplication of stemless plants, such as the cineraria and primula, is accomplished by division of the root where named varieties are required, but when the cultivator has no

DOUBLE FLOWER-POT FOR STRIKING CUTTINGS.

wish to keep a named collection, and desires only to have plenty of gay flowers, seeds are to be preferred. In dividing these herbaceous plants, the “stool” is cut through so as to