These hardened cuttings, about two inches long, are often made in the winter from forced plants. This is particularly the case with roses (which see in Chapter VI). Cuttings taken in February, in the north, will be ready to transfer to borders or nursery beds when spring opens. Stout, well-rooted stock-plants are used from which to obtain these cuttings, and they are cut back when taken to the house in the fall in order to induce a good growth. Many hardy shrubs can be easily propagated in this way when the work is difficult in the open air, _e. g._, _Spiræa Cantonensis_ (_S. Reevesii_ of the catalogues) and _S. Van Houttii_. Stock plants of the soft species, like coleus, lantanas and geraniums, are obtained in like manner. [Illustration: Fig. 57. Hydrangea cutting.] =4. Leaf Cuttings.=--Many thick and heavy leaves may be used as cuttings. Leaf cuttings are most commonly employed in the showy-leaved begonias, in succulents, and in gloxinias, but many plants can be propagated by them. Even the cabbage can be made to grow from leaf cuttings. The whole leaf may be used, as shown in Fig. 59. It is simply laid upon moist sand in a frame and held down by splinters thrust through the ribs. The wound made by the peg induces the formation of roots and a young plant arises. A half dozen or more plants can be obtained from one leaf. Some operators cut off the ribs, instead of wounding them with a prick. Many gardeners prefer to divide the leaf into two nearly equal parts, and then set each part, or the better one, upright in the soil, the severed edge being covered. This is shown in Fig. 60. Fewer plants--often only one--are obtained in this manner, but they are strong. [Illustration: Fig. 58. Clipped Weigela cutting.] [Illustration: Fig. 60. A upright Begonia leaf cutting.] When stock is scarce the leaf may be cut into several fan-shaped pieces. The whole leaf may be divided into as many triangular portions as can be obtained with a portion of the petiole, a strong rib, or vein at the base; these inserted and treated like coleus cuttings will all root and make good plants within a reasonable time, say six months. This form of cutting should be two to three inches long by an inch or inch and one-half wide. Ordinarily, in this style of leaf-cutting, the petiole or stalk is cut off close to the leaf and the lower third or fourth of the leaf is then cut off by a nearly straight cut across the leaf. This somewhat triangular base is then cut into as many wedge-shaped pieces as there are ribs in the leaf, each rib forming the center of a cutting. The point of each cutting should contain a portion of the petiole. The points of these triangular portions are inserted in the soil a half inch or so, the cutting standing erect or nearly so. Roots form at the base or point in the ordinary manner. [Illustration: Fig. 59. Begonia leaf cutting.]