The art of plant propagation is of very ancient date, it having been successfully practised so long as we have any historical records. At the present time it has so developed and improved that it may reasonably claim to be associated with science in its different bearings on plant life in widely distributed regions. The utility and absolute necessity of agriculture and horticulture for the benefit, happiness, and even existence, of civilised man have been so often dealt with that it would be difficult to introduce any new features of interest that have not been explained many times before.