I have recently done a little experiment between the perlite vs baggie method.  I have pictures of the results.  In some cases the results are dramatically different.

The cups in the pictures are filled with perlite - nothing else.  The dates of planting was March 6, 2008.

Comments are welcome of course.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/562902071glMsYa?vhost=home-and-garden

This should take you to the pics on Webshots.  If not - let me know

It may be too early to tell.  Take another set of pic in 2-3 more weeks.
I see that vertical cuttings (in cups?) seem to be breaking more leaves,
but I am not sure if they have roots yet. Probably both methods should
give some good results.

Also, remove those baby figlets, they only act as food 'sinks' from
the little available energy in the wood. You want roots first, then leaves.

Linda,
Do the ones in perlite have roots already? Although they have leaves, it doesn't mean they would have roots also.

When I root cuttings I place them on a heating mat, that seems to encourage roots before leaves.
Anyone else tried that?

OBSERVATION:
Cuttings in bags do not have roots yet.
Cuttings in perlite may not have roots since the picture does not show any.

CONCLUSION: Indeterminate yet, since rooting is the objective.

None have roots yet as far as I know.  I am just doing this as an experiment to see if there are any differences and to see what those differences might be.

I will be taking more pics and posting those also.

Any advice, hints or tips are always useful and I thank all for their comments and input.

Linda
The experiment may have conclusion by now. What is the conclusion?