One of the main reasons why gardeners raise plants from buds instead of from seeds is that the seed of many plants will not produce plants like the parent. This failure to "come true," as it is called, is sometimes of value, for it occasionally leads to improvement. For example, suppose that a thousand apple or other fruit or flower seeds from plants usually propagated by cuttings be planted; it may be that one out of a thousand or a million will be a very valuable plant. If a valuable plant be so produced, it should be most carefully guarded, multiplied by cuttings or grafts, and introduced far and wide. It is in this way that new varieties of fruits and flowers are produced from time to time. Sometimes, too, a single bud on a tree will differ from the other buds and will produce a branch different from the other branches. This is known as _bud variation_. When there is thus developed a branch which happens to be of a superior kind, it should be propagated by cuttings just as you would propagate it if it had originated from a seed. [Illustration: FIG. 48. CURRANT CUTTING] Mr. Gideon of Minnesota planted many apple seeds, and from them all raised one tree that was very fruitful, finely flavored, and able to withstand the cold Minnesota winter. This tree he multiplied by grafts and named the Wealthy apple. It is said that in giving this one apple to the world he benefited mankind to the value of more than one million dollars. It will be well to watch for any valuable bud or seed variant and never let a promising one be lost. Plants grown in this way from seeds are usually spoken of as seedlings. [Illustration: A LUSCIOUS AND EASILY GROWN BERRY] PLANTS TO BE PROPAGATED FROM BUDS The following list gives the names and methods by which our common garden fruits and flowers are propagated: _Figs_: use cuttings 8 to 10 inches long or layer. _Grapes_: use long cuttings, layer, or graft upon old vines. _Apples_: graft upon seedlings, usually crab seedlings one year old. _Pears_: bud upon pear seedlings. _Cherries_: bud upon cherry stock. _Plums_: bud upon peach stock. _Peaches_: bud upon peach or plum seedlings. _Quinces_: use cuttings or layer. _Blackberries_: propagate by suckers; cut from parent stem. _Black raspberries_: layer; remove old stem. _Red raspberries_: propagate by root-cuttings or suckers. _Strawberries_: propagate by runners. _Currants_ and _gooseberries_: use long cuttings (these plants grow well only in cool climates; if attempted in warm climates, set in cold exposure). _Carnations_, _geraniums_, _roses_, _begonias_, etc.: propagate by cuttings rooted in sand and then transplanted to small pots. =EXERCISE=