The Small Fruits. 151 



less upright during the first part of the growing season, 

 but Liter the stems droop to the earth, at least near their 

 tips, and if the conditions are favorable, the tips take 

 root in the soil. 



As the methods of culture of the different bramble fruits 

 are similar, it is convenient to treat them all at the same 

 time. 



213. Propagation. Plants of the first three species 

 above named are readily propagated by suckers from the 

 roots, especially when the latter are cut. 



Plants of the second three species are, as a rule, readily 

 propagated by layering the tips of the canes in late sum- 

 mer or early autumn. Plants thus layered should form 

 abundant roots and a strong bud before winter. The time 

 for layering is indicated by the tips becoming slightly 

 thickened and growing without leaves. On well-cultivated 

 soil, many tips will root without assistance in seasons of 

 frequent rains, but the tips are much more likely to root 

 if covered with soil. After rooting, the parent stem may 

 be severed, and the young plants taken up and perma- 

 nently planted late in the autumn or early the following 

 spring. It is said that better-rooted plants of all of the 

 species may be obtained from cuttings of the roots an inch 

 or more in length, started under glass with mild bottom 

 heat. These root cuttings are preferably made in autumn, 

 packed in sand in shallow boxes and stored for callusing in 

 a cool cellar until February or March, when they are 

 planted in the propagating bed. 



214. Planting:. The bramble fruits are commonly planted 

 3 or 4 feet apart, in rows 6 or 7 feet apart. The black- 

 berry and the larger-growing raspberries should be given 

 the wider distance. In handling the young plauts care 



