The greenhouse species are propagated by layers and cuttings. The cuttings are handled in a close frame, and a leaf or two is usually left on them. For _Ficus Carica_, see Fig. Propagation by seeds is sometimes used in the edible figs, but is not easy with the ornamental sorts. _F. elastica_, _F. Indica_, etc., are increased by cuttings, planted in sand or sandy soil, and placed in good bottom heat, in a frame under glass. The large cuttings should be staked, and care must be taken to remove the milky juice before planting. Any winter month is good, before growth begins. Last season's wood should be used. =Fig= (_Ficus Carica_). _Urticaceæ._ Figs grow readily from the plump seeds in the commercial fruit. Wash out the seeds, and those that sink may be sown in a frame. The young plants will appear in three or four weeks. In from three to five years the plants will begin to bear. New varieties are obtained in this way. Varieties of the fig are multiplied with ease by layers, suckers and cuttings. Make cuttings of mature wood in autumn, cutting just below a bud. Scarce varieties may be multiplied by single eye cuttings. Fig cuttings are handled in the same way as grape cuttings. Some prefer, however, to place the cuttings where the tree is to stand. A well-grown plant will bear at two or three years of age. The fig is readily budded and grafted, but these methods are seldom employed, because the plant is so easily multiplied by cuttings. Shield, ring or tubular buddings are employed. Various methods of grafting are adapted to it, and cleft-grafting is usually employed on old plants. =Filbert.=. See Corylus. =Fir.= See Abies, Pinus and Picea. =Fire-pink.= See Silene. =Fittonia.= _Acanthaceæ._ Increased by division, and by cuttings of half-ripened shoots, planted in sandy loam, in bottom heat. =Fitzroya.= _Coniferæ._ Seeds. Increased also by cuttings of half-ripened shoots =Flax.= See Linum. =Flower-de-Luce= (_Fleur-de-Lis_). See Iris. =Fontanesia.= _Oleaceæ._ Layers are used; also cuttings, planted under a hand-glass in autumn. Or it may be grafted on the privet. =Forget-me-not.= See Myosotis. =Forsythia= (Golden Bell). _Oleaceæ._ Propagated extensively by green cuttings in summer, in a frame; also grown from ripe cuttings taken in fall and winter, and planted in the open air in early spring. =Fothergilla.= _Hamamelideæ._ Propagated by seeds, sown in spring in a peaty soil; by layers. =Four-o'clock.= See Mirabilis. =Foxglove.= See Digitalis. =Fragaria.= See Strawberry. =Franciscea.= See Brunfelsia. =Francoa.= _Saxifrageæ._ Seeds, sown in early spring in a cool frame. Also by division. =Frangula.= See Rhamnus. =Frankenia=, including Beatsonia, Hypericopsis. _Frankeniaceæ._ Increased by seeds and divisions.