EASPBEEEY. 



135 



BY SUCKEES. While, as I have previously stated, there 

 are some varieties which naturally produce suckers in 

 abundance, there are also others that do so very sparingly ; 

 and still these kinds do not multiply in any other way if 

 left entirely to themselves. It is also true that those kinds 

 which produce few suckers are more difficult to propagate 

 from cuttings of the roots ; consequently we must find 

 some method of forcing the roots to produce a greater 

 number of suckers than they do naturally. 



This may be accomplished in the following manner: 

 Late in autumn, or very early in spring, dig up the old 

 stools by cutting off with a spade all the roots within a 

 foot of the base of the stem. 



In figure 58 is shown a plant of the Philadelphia Rasp- 

 berry, the simi-circular white line showing the point where 

 the roots are severed. The Phila- 

 delphia, Catawissa, and similar 

 kinds, which do not sucker freely, 

 are often treated in this manner. 

 If more plants are wanted than 

 may be expected if the roots are 

 left entire, then another incision 

 may be made in the same way 

 one foot outside of the first, but 

 in making it, no soil should be 

 thrown out, the spade being 

 thrust down into the soil its en- 

 tire length, to separate the roots, 

 and then withdrawn. After the 

 Fig. 58,-cuTTiNG THE ROOTS. roots h ave been divided, the sur^ 

 face of the soil should be harrowed over and made level. 

 If a liberal supply of manure is applied as a top dressing, 

 it will assist the growth of the plants very much. The 

 roots remaining in the ground will usually throw up 

 suckers in abundance, and make excellent plants. 



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