Propagation By Division

"A good criterion for planting this root," says a writer in the Gard. Mag., "is about the time of planting early potatoes for a first crop, but no sooner. They grow well in a rich light soil of almost any kind. In dividing the root, it is advisable to leave at least two eyes to each plant, cutting through the neck or crown. The spring is the most preferable time for dividing them, although some do it on taking them up in the autumn.

"Those who possess a hot-house should put each plant into a pot of six or eight inches in diameter, with some good rich mould, so as the crown may just appear at the top of the pot; then place them in the green-house, where they will soon make good plants: and when all danger from frost is over, they may be turned out into holes prepared for them. In this manner, after being so long confined, they will grow most luxuriantly.

"A common cucumber-frame may be successfully used in this way." - Gard. Mag.

By Grafting

This is performed in the months of August, September, and October; and it is an excellent practice to avoid the chance of losing a seedling, or new or scarce varieties.

Fig. 33.

"It is, moreover, particularly appli- cable to those kinds which are horny-rooted and difficult to break; or such as ' Taylor's Sultana,' with long stringy tubers, which seldom live through the winter; and to others which break late. To all such this mode is recommended with the greatest confidence of success. The operation is exceedingly simple, (see figure 33), and may be performed at any time from January to December, (provided you have a good growing heat,) not only with young green shoots, but with others more advanced, if not hollow or pithy. The usual manner is to take a scion with six or eight leaves, cut it smooth below the joint, take off one of the lower leaves without injuring the eye, and then cut away a portion (half or three-quarters of an inch) of the skin or fleshy part of the wood between each of the lower eyes.

"Have ready a good sound piece of tuber of the last or present season (if ripe), in which make a slanting longitudinal incision of one or two inches, according to circumstances, and about half an inch wide at top, gradually tapering off to the bottom, and fix the scion firmly into it. The root should then be planted in a pot, with the grafted part just below the mould, and placed under a bell-glass, or in a warm close frame; but the former is best.

"In eight or ten days the union will be complete, and air may be gradually given. After a short time you will be able to head it down, either for cuttings, if in spring, or grafts for summer and autumn. It is advisable to leave at all times four eyes, to ensure a vigorous growth; and also to shift the plant into a larger pot occasionally." - Gard. Chron.

By Seed

Mr. Sabine gives the following directions: -

"Collect the seed in September from dwarf plants and from semi-double flowers, when double varieties are chiefly desired. Perhaps seeds obtained from those particular florets of the disc which have altered their form, may have a greater tendency than others to produce plants with double flowers. Sow in March, heat of 55° or 65°; prick out, if necessary, in pots, and keep in a moderate temperature, say 50° or 55°, till the end of April. Plant out to remain, covering each plant at night with an empty pot for some weeks, to avoid injury from spring frosts to themselves. Plant in rows three feet; two feet if in the flower-border. Plant in the back rows. They require to be staked. Seedlings thus treated will blow in July, and continue in perfection till the autumn." - Hort. Transac.