THE NURSERY-LIST 253 



propagated by the suckers that naturally arise after the old plant 

 has ceased flowering. The suckers should not be removed until 

 they are firm and well grown. The lower end is trimmed of its 

 poor leaves and the sucker is then potted or mounted as for estab- 

 lished plants ; they are stimulated by bottom heat, and should be 

 shaded for a time. 



Blackberry (Rubus species). Rosacece. 



New varieties are obtained from seeds, which may be sown as 

 soon as they are cleaned from the ripe fruit, or which may be 

 stratified until the next spring. If the soil is in prime condition, 

 fall sowing is preferable. Bearing plants should be had in two or 

 three years from seed, depending on length of season and method 

 of handling. 



Varieties are multiplied by suckers, by root-cuttings and 

 tips of the canes. The suckers spring up freely about the old 

 plants, especially if the roots are broken by the cultivator ; but 

 they have few fibrous roots, and are inferior. The best plants 

 are obtained from root-cuttings (Fig. 103). Roots from ^ to f inch 

 in diameter are selected for this purpose. The roots are dug in 

 the fall, cut into pieces 1 to 3 inches long, and stored until early 

 spring. They may be buried in boxes of sand after the manner 

 of stratified seeds, or stored in a cool cellar; callusing pro- 

 ceeds most rapidly in cellar. The pieces are planted horizon- 

 tally an inch or two deep, in loose, rich soil. It is best to 

 put them in a frame and give them slight bottom heat, although 

 they will grow if planted in the open in April or May, but the 

 plants will make much less growth the first season. Some va- 

 rieties do not strike quickly without bottom heat. When the 

 variety is scarce, shorter and slenderer pieces of root may be 

 used, but these demand bottom heat. The heat in the frames 

 is usually supplied by manure, or the heat of the sun under the 

 glass may be sufficient. In these frames the cuttings may be 

 started in the North late in March, or some six or eight weeks 

 before the plants can be set outdoors without protection. When 

 the weather has become somewhat settled, the plants may be 

 planted out, and by fall they will be 2 to 3 feet high ; they may 

 yield a few fruits the following year. 



The Himalaya berry, Evergreen, Dallas, McDonald and certain 

 other blackberries are propagated either wholly or in part by the 

 tips of canes, as are black raspberries. 



