Mexico weekly ledger., 1905-01-19
MAKE NOW.

Few people realize how simple a matter
II is to propagate ones own grape vihes'
currants. gooseberries and most orna-
mental shrubs. II the work Is properly
done these plants may be readily propa-
gated by mean Of cuttings made late IN
autumn after the leaves are on OF the
plants but preferably before cold weather
comes on. Only well ripened mature WOOD
that has grown during the preceding sum
mer should be selected for making the cut
tings, all soft or immature parts being dis
carded. The cuttings themselves should De
made six to ten inches long, and the Dase
of each should be cut squarely just below
a bud SO the bud is retained at the lower
end. These cuttings should be tied up IN
bundles of convenient size, say, one hun
dred in a bundle, their butts, or basal ends,
all one way, well shaken down so as to
stand level on a fiat table. They may then
be kept through the winter in a cellar Or
callus pit.
Storing for Winter.
II one has a good cool cellar which is not
too dry, 1t will be a good place to keep the
cuttings until tine to plant in the spring.
They will keep best If packed in moist
sawdust, though slightly moist soil or sand
will do. Fresh, moist sawdust Is best be
cause 1t is neither wetter nor drier than the
wood of the cutting itself.
Place about two inches of the moist saw
dust in the bottom of a box and stand the
cuttings in, base downward, so that the
smoothly cut end Of each will be pressed
firmly upon the sawdust, so as to enable 1t
to take up any necessary moisture through
the cut surface in case there is a tendency
to dry out. AS soon as the boxes are filled
with the cuttings sawdust should be shaken
in among them so as to fill all air spaces as
far as possible, and the tops covered with
two or three IL ,hes Of sawdust to keep
them from drying out.
II the cellar is very dry a wooden cover
may be placed over the box to prevent dry
ing. II the cellar is fairly moist and espec-
tally IL 1t is warn, it is best not to cover the
box, as the cuttings will be more liable to
mould II covered.
When Spring Comes.
By spring most of these cuttings will
nave put out a callus where the butt OF the
cutting comes in contact with the moist
sawdust. This callus is the first start
towards making a root system. In many
cases even the roots themselves will be
produced before spring.
Upon the approach Of spring, as early as
the soil can be worked and before the buds
on the cuttings have begun to grow, they
should be planted out in good garden soil.
The rows should be about four feet apart,
to admit Of easy cultivation, and the cut
tings should be set very firmly In the soil,
so as to leave no air spaces about them,
and set deep enough so only the uppermost
bud is above the ground. They should then
be given clean cultivation and hoed TO keep
down oil weeds during the summer, when
usually an excellent growth Of plants will
be secured.
II one has grape vines which he wishes
to propagate but which he does not know
the name Of so as to enable him to order
more from the nursery. he may easily prop
agate them in this manner
Currants, gooseberries, the Mariana and
Golden Beauty plums, some varieties Of
ounces, the barberry, spirea, mockorange,
privet and most varieties of shrubs, as well
as willows. poplars and some other vari-
cites Of forest trees, root readily from cut
tings handled In this manner.
]. c.. Written.