The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-04-07
MAKE CUTTINGS now.


Few people realize how simple a
matter it is TO propagate ones own
grape vines. currants, gooseberries and
most ornamental shrubs II the work
is properly done, these plants may be
readily propa gated by means of cut
tings made late I'm autumn after the
leaves are OF the plants. but prefer
ably before cold weather comes on.
Only we!l-ripened, mature wood that
has grown during the preceding sum
mer should be selected for making the
cuttings. all soft or immature parts
being discarded The cuttings them
selves should be made six to ten inches
long. and the base of each should he
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
hundred in a bundle their butts or
basal ends. all one way, well shaken
down so as TO stand leve! on Hat
table. They may be then kept through
the winter In a cellar or callus pit.
II one has 4 good, cool cellar which
is not too dry, il will be n good place
TO keep the cuttings until time 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; IL is
neither wetter nor drier than the wood
Of the cuttings itself.
Place about two inches Of the moist
sawduSt in the bottom OF q box and
stand the cuttings in base downward,
50 that the smoothly cut end OF each
will be- pressed firmly upon the aw-
dust. so as to enable II to take up any
necessary moisture through the cut
surface in case there is q tendency to
dry out As soon a the boxes are
filled with the cuttings sawdust should
be shaken in among them so as 10 oil
all air spaces as far as possible, and
the tops covered with two or three
inches Of sawdust so as 10 keep them
from drying out
If the cellar is very dry a wooden
cover may be placed over the box 10
prevent drying II the cellar is fairly
moist and especially IL it is warm, IL
is best not to cover the box as the
cuttings will be more liable 20 mold IL
covered
By spring most OF these cuttings will
have put out a callus where the butt
Of the cutting comes In contact with
the moist sawdust. This callus 10 the
first start toward making a root sys-
TEN. 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
ia good garden soil. The rows should
be about four feet apart. TO admit Of
easy cultivation. and th- cuttings
should be set very firmly In the soil,
so as 20 leave 10 air spaces about
them. and set deep enough 50 only
the uppermost but is above the ground.
They should then be given clean cul-
tiyatiOn and hocd TO keep down all
weeds during the summer. when usual
.y an excellent growth Of plants VII
be secured.
Currants. gooseberries. the Mariana
and Golden Beauty plums. some yarie-
ties of ounces, the barbcrry. spIrea.
mock1rauge. pivet and most varieties
OF shrubs. a. well as willows. pOpiars
and some other varieties Of forest
trees. root readily from cutting, han
died iu this manner. &. Whitten.
Missouri Agricultural College.