Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26
SUMMER CUTTINGS.

This is the time of the year to prop.
agate roses and shrubs by means of
cuttings of half-ripened wood. Hy-
Bird tea roses are easier to root In
Summer than at any other season,
provided the cuttings can be given
suitable care. Climbing roses and
such shrubs as mock orange, bridal
wreath, weigelia, golden bell and many
others are rooted by nurserymen in
large quantities at this season. The
amateur gardener usually succeeds
better. however. with these by using
hardwood cuttings in Autumn or Win.
ter. The Summer method is adapted
to many perennial plants.
Cuttings Of hybrid tea or monthly
roses are made of stems from which
the flowers have recently fallen, each
cutting made to include three "eyes,
or leaf buds The lower cut is made
Slanting through the lower bud. The
leaves are all removed except about
half of the top ones. They must be
kept from whiting by placing them IN
clean water as soon as made. followed
by planting at once without permitting
the cuttings to become dry. with
shrubs the tip Erowths are taken, SO
that they are composed of this sea
sons growth, or with the base as the
upper node of the past seasons de-
velopment In all cases select shoots
which have hardened off a little and
are firm. These are cut in the same
way as roses, and the leafy growth is
restricted to about one-half OF the tip
leaves.
Where the air can be Enclosed and
kept moist, a spent hotbed or cold
frame makes suitable place for the
roofing of these cuttings. The glass
must be shaded by muslin or burlap.
If glass sash are not available. muslin
stretched over the bed will do If the
cuttings are sprink,ed two or three
times daily. The object OF inclosing
the cuttings is to prevent undue evap-
Grafton from the leaves before the
roots have formed to maintain q moiS-
ture supply for the young plants.
Clean sand is preferable, but light
sandy soil may be used. The sand is
moiStened and tamped down firmly,
using the fiat OF a brick.
The cuttings are planted with about
two-thirds their length below ground.
being inserted in Il slit in the sand.
This slit is opened by running fiat
trowel or an old kitchen knife. draw
ing it along the side of straight
edge. The sand or sandy soil is
packed firmly around each cutting,
row by row. pounding sharply on the
straight edge after the cuttings are
inserted. 1t is imperative that the
base of each cutting be in intimate
contact with the roofing medium. AS
soon as planted. the cuttings are
thoroughly watered. using a fine
sprinkler. Afterward only light daily
sprinklings are given, although the
roofing bed should never lack for
water. Roots should form within two
or three weeks, during which time the
bed requires daily attention.
Instead OF the inclosed frame, many
people succeed with fruit jars or glass
dishes inverted over the cuttings. If
only very few plants are wanted,
this is the easiest method and a favor
ite one with our Grandmothers.
When roots have freely formed, as
indicated by new growth. an inch or
two in length, the plants are trans
planted to good soil, making sure that
each cutting is removed with all Of
the newly formed roots. They must
be handled carefully to prevent injur
ing the tender roots and to prevent
whiting. AT first they require the
inclosed humid air as provided in the
cutting bed. After three or four days,
when the roots have begun to func-
ton, the planted cuttings are given
more air gradually until they are we'll