Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1882-09-28
PROPAGATION BY CUTTIN GS.

| 1t is not many years since the art of prop
aSation WAS clothed in considerable mystery
and the knowledge OF its methods were care
fully guarded at trade secrets.
The progressive spirit of the age has here
as in other branches Of applied natural
science, changed darkness and ignorance to
light and knowledge. Nurserymen find II
now to their advantage to spread lnforma-
ton instead of Withholding it. Mr.. j. Jern-
kins, OF. Winona, O., whose large experience
in propagating plants entities his views to
special consideration, has lately given an
interesting address before the Nurserymen's IS
Association, from which we extract the fol.
lowing:
Most varieties of grape-vines, currants,
gooseberries, rSSnes. and much of the shrub
berry suppled1.s@1 7nurserymen grow readily,
and are grown from outdoor cuttings
Whether of trees or vines, indoor or out
door propagation, the operation OF nature
in the growth OF the cutting is the same
The bud holds within its brown envelope
the principle Of life, which extends throsgh
exteade6 the growth, and established the
bud. After the eating 10 divided, natures
first effort is to torm callous with the de-
scending cells that would have gone to ex-
tend and enlarge the roots on the mother
vine.
Now, if instead of abruptly dividing the
cane or shoot to be used as a curting, sys-
tenn OF ringing or strangulation be followed,
every bud may be made to produce plant.
with scarcely an exception. This strangu-
lation or ringing is performed on soft or
green wood by simply tying thread tightly
around the point where the slip or cutting
is to be separated, and on hard wood BY
ring of copper or other wire drawn closely.
This will cause an enlargement and depo-
sition of cambium at the point of arrest and
make the growth of the cuttings thus pre-
pared, when finally separated and planted,
almost as though they already had roots.
One very successful experiment with out
door cuttings OF the grape was performed
by SLOWING the canes to remain on the
mother vines until the buds had started
grown OF Ofe-DaiI lncf or more ana the
leaves had began to unfold every eve was
the old wood placed entirely be-
low the soil, the new growth just appearing
above the ground, shaded carefully with a
result of full eighty per cent. of vine.
In the usual manner of preparing cuttings
greater success follows when the cuttings
are taken OF Immediately on the tall of the
leaf before freezing, when they should i'm
be packed away in moss or soil
until time for planting in spring.
Cuttings of currants and gooseberries
taken in August and September may be inn
mediately planted, covered with heavy
mulch of straw TO carry them through the
winter.
Grape cuttings for outdoor planting may
be made with single eyes, but all the advan-
tag es Of two-bud cutting may be retained
by simply cutting across the node with
sharp knife or with shears, commencing the
cut opposite and one-eighth of an inch or
more below the bud and finishing one-eighth
Of an inch er more above. We find new
and very profitable use for vines thus grown
Is propagsting Delaware, Cynthiana, Nor